ML646535893

Observation details

Heard, then seen briefly—similar in plumage to a slate-colored with more grey tones toward the head. Had brown wings, and with a thick bill that may have been bicolored (I recall yellow lower mandible though looks were very brief—a blurry photo may show it). White underside with thick dark trangular brown streaks and other thick marks. Metallic chip call in the sound range of a california towhee. Tried to get a photo but the bird kept ducking into foliage—only managed a single blurry image. Sound recording, though windy. This my first discovery of a thick-billed, though this isn’t anything unexpected—this is a known habitat for them.