I just had a friend call me wanting an ID of a bird she saw fly past her car and I was wondering if any of you could help as I have no clue.

Sighted this morning prior to 10 am on KCID road in Middleton near the Boise River

size:  about the size of a Magpie or a little smaller

tail:  short

color:  black and white

Had a beak similar to a duck, but shorter.  She said the bird had a slim body and did not look like a duck. 

Anyone have any idea what kind of bird this could be?

Ruthann Greene