Brown/Tan bird on the side of a mountain near Cody, WY (1 Viewer)

[GracieAllen]

I was in Wyoming last September. Outside Cody, on the road to Buffalo Bill dam there was a road that went off to a (I think) USGA building. Next to the road was very steep mountainside, and I found these birds walking up and down the mountain. So far, Merlin and everything else I've tried hadn't identified them. What are they?

 

[astrostryx]

Your photo is a Chukar, a game bird in the Partridge family introduced to the mountainous western US from Eurasia.

 

[GracieAllen]

Thanks. I wonder why Merlin didn't get it?

 

[astrostryx]

Thanks. I wonder why Merlin didn't get it?

edited: I made the assumption you were using Merlin Sound ID when I wrote: "As an introduced species, Chukar is likely not included in the local Merlin bird pack for your area. I have the same issue in southern CA with Swinhoe's White-eye and in Phoenix metro with Rosy-faced lovebird -- I can see their calls being recorded on the sonogram as I hear them sing, but no ID is offered."