Any guesses?

[Orrex]

I live in western PA. Driving to work this morning, I was at a stoplight for an exit off of I-79, when I saw a bird that seemed unusual to my entirely bird-ignorant eye. It was about fifteen feet from me when I spotted it. I know nothing of formal birders' terminology, so I'll describe it as well as I can.

It was maybe eight inches tall and was a mottled (?) gray-brown/black with a white breast and belly. It had a round head with no obvious crest, and a short, dark beak (maybe black). Most striking to me was the white ring around its neck and a thinner dark (again, maybe black) ring right beneath that.

I didn't see it fly, but I noticed that it walked rather than hopped, and the stride put me in mind of small shore-birds (to the extent that I know anything about them). I didn't get a toe-count, but the feet were dark like the beak.

I realize that this is a feeble description, but I hoped that it might be enough for a bird expert 'round these part to hazard a an identification.

Any guesses? Any input is appreciated!

[blindpig]

1. Perhaps a Killdeer?

Try pulling up an image on Yahoo.

[Orrex]

2. Holy moley, I think that's it!

How in the world did you figure it out from my lame-assed description?!?

Thanks!

[blindpig]

3. The walking and breast bands did it.

Location ruled out pretty much else. It's a pretty common bird.

[Orrex]

4. Shows what I know!

As I mentioned, I'm pretty much bird-ignorant. Is there some kind of online ornithology database for this kind of thing, or did you just Google it?

Thanks in any case for the quick response!

[blindpig]

5. I've been birding for over 35 years.

Not a real good birder but that was an easy one. Don't generally use on-line resources, can't even post a picture on DU or I would have for you. Get a field guide and field glasses, it beats the hell out of most things.

[livetohike]

6. Try e-nature - just go to the birds field guide

:-)

http://www.enature.com/home