Whatbird.com

This bird was located running extremely low and fast across the road near Revelstoke, British Columbia.  Basically, if you picture a roadrunner and change its colour to a dark solid grey, this is the bird I saw.  Very long tail, extremely adept at running, slender body, beak about same length of head (I think???).  Any suggestions?

 

My first thought based on the physical description was a gray catbird, but I don't know why adept they are at running...  

Grey catbird appears too small and the tail is not long enough.

I would think maybe one of the game birds like Turkey, Pheasant, etc as there are not many birds that can run.

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2008 Yard List: 126
Recent: White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin
Highlights: Hoary Redpoll, Golden Eagle, Fish Crow
2008 Year List: 197
Recent: Pine Siskin, Northern Gannet, Red-necked Grebe
Highlights: Cackling Goose, Black Vulture, Merlin

I have seen pheasants and roadrunners (tucson area) and am familiar with what these birds look like.  I was also at a wetland birding watching trip today and asked some local area experts what they thought it might be, and they suggested perhaps a grouse or pheasant, but the colour is all wrong as is the size.  Honestly, it looked like a roadrunner, same running style, shape, size.  I thought maybe a magpie, but it had no white on it.

Maybe an exotic game bird.

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2008 Yard List: 126
Recent: White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin
Highlights: Hoary Redpoll, Golden Eagle, Fish Crow
2008 Year List: 197
Recent: Pine Siskin, Northern Gannet, Red-necked Grebe
Highlights: Cackling Goose, Black Vulture, Merlin

Could it have been a Gray partridge?

Maybe a blue grouse?

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