The Really Strange Bird I Found in Downtown St. Louis
Last night I was taking our two pups on a lengthy walk through the city and saw the strangest bird on the street around 10th and Olive between Jack Patrick’s bar and the bank. This strange bird practically leaped out at us when we walked by, everyone started, and exciting the dogs (who of course bolted after it). This bird didn’t even attempt to fly, it had large forked toes, was clearly very young & totally unaware of its irrespective Urban environment.
Anyone guesses as to what kind of bird this is? I know the photo quality is what you’d expect as if I claimed I just found Bigfoot, sorry about that. I snapped it on my EVO while receiving a call, not to mention keeping enough distance to avoid getting my eyes pecked out by that enormous beak, then later chasing it around the sidewalk to the amusement of passersby.
So far, my best guess looking at the beak and comparing it to a list of Missouri Birds it’s a King Rail or perhaps a species of Sandpiper. And while we’re not too far from the river, how on Earth does a Sandpiper or a Rail end up 10 blocks deep into the heart of Downtown St. Louis?
It’s not the first time I’ve found natural creatures living in our unnatural living spaces. In 2009, I found a 7 in. long Praying Mantis down by the Old Post Office while taking a stroll.
Ever seen any other strange wild animals in downtown STL? (And no, the lumpy blanket with the homeless man sleeping you found is not what I’m talking about.)
