Mystery Passerine

OK- Strange Passerine.
I will go through a complete breakdown of characteristics.
Location: Eastern Nebraska, United States
Color: Brown of light to medium darkness. Front maybe a bit paler. White to light brown eyestripe.
Shape: Like a slightly longer, stockier warbler. Not much stockier.
Size: 5-7 Inches. (Sorry, not so helpful)
Habitat: A marshy area in a park with trees and lots of cover
Call/Song: A mix of chattering and warbling, not a trill. Not OCWA.
Pattern: Dull brown on most of body. No streaks on breast or anywhere else on body or wings.
Tail: Brown, no bars, not sticking up like a wren

I have absolutely no idea whatsoever, unless this is something really rare like an Old World Warbler.
If you have any ideas @johnnybirder @john8 @psweet it would be really helpful. Sorry to bug you over a mystery bird.

Thanks!

Posted on 19 October, 2017 21:31 by danomaha danomaha

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Observer

danomaha

Date

October 20, 2017 12:31 PM CDT

Description

It would seem i have seen the ABA area's first or second Reed-warbler in here. Read more @ https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/dannym/12231-mystery-passerine
The obs. Is of the walnut trees.

Comments

Do you have the ability to get a photo? Can we hope its still there tomorrow morning?

Posted by johnnybirder over 6 years ago

Nope @johnnybirder . What is your best guess?

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

What was the shape of the bill?

Posted by brownsbay over 6 years ago

Pretty thin but not quite as thin as some warblers can be @brownsbay

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

What you describe could be an old world warbler, but really hard to get a full picture with a very rudimentary description. For example what was the behavior, how did it shake its tail, what was the head shape, primary projection, leg color, how did the head merge with the bill - all these factors are crucial for proper ID. In addition, for some Acrocephalus species, you'll also need to describe characteristics that are very hard to convey in words, such as the intensity of rufous/grey on the mantle, crown and wings. I'm afraid so say you're going to HAVE to get a photo. Don't you know someone with a camera who can help out?

Posted by johnnybirder over 6 years ago

I do have a camera, it just got away too quick.
CORRECTION: This did not fly quick it all, I was simply too shocked by what I was seeing

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

@johnnybirder I did see a few of those. Let's see if this can clear up if it's an old world warbler at all.
Primary projection was pretty long, legs were pinkish. Head was somewhat flat but peaked

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

I'm Going Back this morning.

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

Sweet! Good luck

Posted by johnnybirder over 6 years ago

I went back and no bird @johnnybirder

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

:(

Posted by johnnybirder over 6 years ago

@johnnybirder I returned approximately 3 hours ago and again found the bird. I again missed the photo, after seeing the bird clearly again. The eyestripe did not pass the eye, that is my only new observation. I was fooled by A Myrtle Warbler, because I followed it instead of the Reed-warbler when it flew into the viewfinder. I, however, have linked an observation of the trees and grass where it lives to this Journal Post. Make sure to see both photos!
One other thing: are we on the same page this is for sure an old world warbler, going by the description?

Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago
Posted by danomaha over 6 years ago

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