Can anyone help me identify this bird? It is very large, about 21 inches long..

1. 89

   Mrs. Menagerieposted 12 years ago

   Can anyone help me identify this bird?  It is very large, about 21 inches long...
   
   This morning when I got to work I found this huge and unfortunately dead bird on the deck. It had apparently flown into the window.  It is some kind of grouse but it doesn't quite match any particular type.
   It has a yellow comb over the eyes which should mean it is a Blue Grouse but it is clearly not blue-gray or even close.  Some Sharp-tailed Grouse have a yellow comb but this bird clearly has no sharp tail.  It seems to match the size and description of a Spruce Grouse but they only have red combs and are not supposed to exist outside of Canada (I am in Montana.) 
   
   

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2. 60

   love2dogsposted 12 years ago

   After looking at your photo and photos of female blue grouse, I believe that you do have a blue grouse.
   the females are not as pretty as the males as goes for most birds.
   
   I found photos by using a Google search on "Femal Blue Grouse Images."
   This is one of  the images that I came up with:
   http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanvernon/3722019597/

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3. 80

   StephanieBCrosbyposted 12 years ago

   I do not have a definitive answer for you. But every time I am stumped about a bird, I post it on WhatBirdIsIt. You can get an answer fairly quick. And since you have a clear picture here, you will get your answer in no time. When you post, make sure you mention that you are in Montana.

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4. 75

   Inventuristposted 12 years ago

   Do you, by any chance, have a cat? I'm looking at the foot - the feathers, I'm figuring your cat brought you a present. Nesting time right now so the grouse would want to protect their nest - sitting a little tighter. Just a guess. Why cats are so destructive - they don't eat their kill, they just kill.

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5. 67

   Miss Infoposted 12 years ago

   It looks like a chicken. LOL. Sorry I have absolutely no idea on this one.

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6. 60

   TheGirlNinjaposted 12 years ago

   I grew up on a farm and if I am not mistaken this bird of a chicken

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7. 61

   zenna53posted 12 years ago

   It's a parairie chicken....grouse..go to wikipedia and see which species you have there.  It appears to be a female bird.

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8. 40

   sairakhanposted 12 years ago

   color wise its looking like falcon.But from legs i guess its nothing but a hen

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9. 52

   SHARMILA2004reddyposted 12 years ago

   this is a kite. in india these birds are so many. they hunt snakes,chicks.mostly these birds comes to fields in summer in high frequency as a group to hunt rats,small birds.

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10. 83

    tonymead60posted 12 years ago

    what did it taste of? I usually find that something tastes of what it is. Just don't add too much salt and pepper or you might not recognise the flavour.

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