Diabolical ID Challenge: A Shadow of a Chance

By Mike • January 17, 2010 • 8 comments

You lords and ladies of armchair avian identification really feasted on our last ID challenge, didn’t you? Apparently, that duck wasn’t as tricky as I had hoped. I believe that part of the problem is that you simply had too much visual information to work with.

This next ID challenge may prove more challenging than the last due to the ambiguity of the offered evidence. Elaine Dale of A Scattering sent me a photo that I can only describe as vague. She reports that the subject was large with a light coloured head and light, long tail. She was walking by a river in Ontario when it flew over. I’d ask for guesses but anybody can make a guess. Instead let’s have some bold assertions as to the identity of this alleged avian!

Tags: id challenge

Explore These Related Posts

...Or These Blasts From The Past

About the Author

Mike

Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. Besides founding 10,000 Birds and I and the Bird, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining sites and resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network.

8 Responses to “Diabolical ID Challenge: A Shadow of a Chance”

John Callender Jan 18th, 2010 at 12:01 am

Bald eagle?
John Jan 18th, 2010 at 12:06 am

Bald Eagle.
Will Jan 18th, 2010 at 12:33 am

I agree with John, Bald Eagle.
Paul Clapham Jan 18th, 2010 at 2:48 am

Bald Eagle is what I thought, too. Are those falconer’s jesses attached to the feet? Are falconers even allowed to have Bald Eagles in Ontario?
tai haku Jan 18th, 2010 at 3:52 am

Are we supposed to think wader going right instead of eagle going left? eagle for me too but I wonder if we’ve all been hoodwinked.
Nick Jan 18th, 2010 at 7:04 am

Bald Iggle!
Mike Jan 18th, 2010 at 9:19 am

The bird does resemble a snipe if you turn it around but, no, there’s no trick here. Clearly, this challenge was still too easy.

I’ll get you all yet…
Elaine Dale Jan 18th, 2010 at 10:46 am

Thanks so much for the input everyone, this is a lifer for me! I’ll be sure to watch carefully when I walk this trail again, maybe I’ll get a better shot the next time.