Coturnicops noveboracensis
L 7 1/4"(18 cm).

Song or calls:
“Tick-tick” notes in series of two or three constantly repeated. Often heard at night.

more images

photo by Phil Swanson

Description: Sexes similar. Short bill, yellow-tan body mottled with black on the back, and black and white barring on flanks. In flight, look for conspicuous white secondaries. Juvenile is darker than adult.

• Habitat: Found in marshes with grassy or sedge vegetation during migration. Tend to occupy dense areas of sedges.
• Where in Nebraska: Casual spring and fall migrant. Most of sighting records are from eastern Nebraska. Likely occurs more frequently than reports indicate.
• Field Notes: An extremely secretive bird, is often hard to see or even flush.
• Fun Facts: Songs and calls sound like a typewriter clicking keys, moslty heard at night.