Date: 4/10/24 9:28 pm From: Chris Barrigar <1chrisbarrigar...> Subject: Update: Possible White-tailed Kite - Unidentified Bird - Eldon, MO, Miller Co., 4/10/24, 1:00 pm
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Thank you all for trying to help me figure this mystery bird's ID.
The heavy overcast skies may have given more "weight" to the upper wing's black spot and trailing light gray edge making it appear dark upper with white checks. That said the white underwing with black spot against the gray skies may have played tricks with my eyes - as like a negative effect with 35mm film. As for the long tail/legs, the WTKI tail is slightly two-toned which again may have played with my eyes as my mind was trying to wrap around and process many visual cues and interpret them into something that was familiar. When do WTKI molt? Could a few of the outer tail feathers been shorter than the center?
I know that my initial description may not completely fit WTKI, but it doesn't fit anything else that we know of either. LOL! My apologies for that. After hearing the above recording, my ears are ID-ing the mystery bird as a WTKI, and the bird's G.I.S.S. or JIZZ would fit that species from what I've read in the guides. Size fits, too. No photos and no recordings; so, I probably won't turn in an eBird report unless prompted to by an eBird staff/volunteer.
Thank you all again for your suggestions as we stretched our cerebral matter together to try to figure this bird's ID.
It's still around somewhere. I'll be out looking again tomorrow during lunch break.
Good Birding, keep your heads on a swivel and ears tuned in!!!
