The article below was linked on the Bird Forum as a possibility. tj Here is a link that might be useful: Ark Die-offs

So that's where my belted kingfisher went. I think they are so cool looking. Can hardly wait for spring to see them around here again.

Thank you soooo much! This is a new bird for me. I must've associated the size of the red birds on the ground (cardinals in my mind) with the size of this one in the tree. How cool! Yippee! Thanks for letting me know what it is. I've been looking for 60 new adventures in my 60th year of life (an idea I came up with to avoid thinking about the age). Many of the new adventures were new butterflies last fall, but this is a great addition for a bird adventure. Y'all know your stuff! Here is a link that might be useful: 60 New Adventures for Age 60

I have checked out pictures and descriptions of so many birds, I'm about to give-up. The bird was far bigger than a Quail or Partridge. It was about 2/3 the height of med to large chicken, but probably half the weight. The closest picture I have found is of a female Lady Amherst's Pheasant, But she lackes the maroon coloring and her tail is far too long and the neck feathers seem too flashy/brilliant. I looked up Rachels suggestion and found it to be very close. The tail is right, but it's lacking the 2 inch long head/neck feathers. And the maroon/purple on it's (the grouse's) neck is far to bright and in the wrong place. Almost the entire undersides of this bird where rusty maroon/burgundy. It has crosed my mind that maybe it was dried blood and not the actual feather color. After reading my descriptions on this post, it sounds to me that I have a Greater Prairie Amherst's Chicken Grouse. Go Figure! The bird was not around last night - so, no pictures, sorry. Thanks, Lowel