DAVID CLAPP

The first impression of this issue’s mystery bird is that it is a species that appears comfortable standing on the ground and not necessarily perched in a leafy tree. Its short, sturdy legs suggest that it may spend a lot of time on the ground. An even better clue is the bird’s strikingly long claws, especially the hind claw on its left foot, which is best seen on the Bird Observer website. Also conspicuous is the bird’s overall slim body and notably long primaries that extend well beyond the folded secondaries. These suggest that, in flight, the bird exhibits a long-winged aspect, a feature further accentuated by its lengthy tail.

Not being able to see the face or bill necessitates a closer inspection of its dorsal coloration and pattern to identify the bird. The basal dorsal coloration is a pale sandy color marked with dusky streaking and relatively little contrast with the coloration of the nape. The underparts are white with light dusky streaks on the upper breast. Barely apparent, but nonetheless noticeable, are brownish markings on both sides of the head and face suggesting the presence of a cheek patch, but unfortunately it is not fully discernible from the view provided. Equally noticeable in the color image is a black feather visible in the middle of the bird’s tail.