Snipe in Japan, Okinawa, early April: Could it be a Pin-tailed ? (1 Viewer)

ugolino · Apr 8, 2015

Dear all,
My guide, Kaz Shinoda (by the way, a great guide) and I noticed this slightly different snipe amongst a group of common snipes. The call, posture and apparently smaller bill and tail led us to believe one individual could be a pin-tailed. What do you think ?
We believe that the individual in photos 1 and 2 is the same as the individual in photos 3,4 and 5 but we could be wrong on this.
Thank you in advance, Ugolino

johnallcock · Apr 9, 2015

I would say that the relatively well-marked loral stripe, relatively narrow supercilium and reasonably long tail point towards this being another Common Snipe. They're always tricky though.

chris butterworth · Apr 9, 2015

Common Snipe. Apart from the lores and supercillium the lowermost scapulars have a very broad outer margin when compared to the inner. Pintail has the margins more even in width ( the outer is still broader, but there isn't as much contrast ). The lower scapulars on Swinhoes, which winters on Okinawa ( but in very small numbers ) lacks the contrast between the margins and appears almost scalloped and has a lot of distinct whitish spots on the tips of the wing coverts, which can be surprisingly noticeable.

ugolino · Apr 10, 2015

Thank you both. May be we photoed the wrong bird, as there definitely was a different snipe call in that field.
Best, ugolino

Snipe in Japan, Okinawa, early April: Could it be a Pin-tailed ? (1 Viewer)

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