ML70202721

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

75 degrees, slight breeze, blue skies, and an overhead sun. The description that follows is based on my first person observation and analysis of photos and may not be consistent with existing literature/photos. Overall two-toned with upperparts being grey with warm dull orangey-brown feel reminiscent of pale varied thrush and lowerparts being pale warm sand-color. Grey crown (slightly peaked) with black medial line widening to 3/16" down grey mantle, long pointed variegated brown-pale orange wings, long pale grey black-barred square tail (ability to depress/move like hooded oriole), face distinctive with yellow eye (and darker eyeing?), black eyeline bifurcating pale buff auriculars and lower side malars and chin, hint of thin black malar stripe lower on throat, buffy-grey breast with hint of vee followed by thin dark barring becoming more distinctive as it transitions into paler belly, undertail coverts barred as well, pink legs and feet, pale pointed (sharp sage thrasher-like) bill. Observed as it flushed from willows along pond, flying straight up 10'; initially assumed mourning dove (presents larger than actual size), but two-tone appearance striking and caused me to pursue further study. Perched horizontally like nightjar in sandstone alcove, and then climbed 3' of vertical bank before disappearing onto higher grass plateau. Observed for 20-30 seconds. Previously, over a 30 minute period heard three separate 6-8 knock sequence like a downy woodpecker but slightly slower which I now attribute to this bird. Observed between 1459-1500 hours.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

ISO

320

Focal length

247 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/160 sec

Dimensions

2683 pixels x 2257 pixels

Original file size

1.31 MB