ID help Texas terns and shorebirds (1 Viewer)

J

JeffMoh

Well-known member

• Jul 19, 2009

• #1

Hi.

The attached were seen on Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston yesterday.

Could you see if you agree with my IDs? Many thanks.

Gull-billed Tern
Least Terns
Red Knot
Western Sandpiper
Wilson's Plover

Jeff
www.jeffincypress.blogspot.com

 

Attachments

• 
  gull-billed.jpg

  51.6 KB · Views: 107
• 
  least.jpg

  54.8 KB · Views: 106
• 
  red knot.jpg

  53.8 KB · Views: 125
• 
  western.jpg

  36.4 KB · Views: 106
• 
  wilsons.jpg

  60.6 KB · Views: 95

Last edited: Jul 19, 2009

Jacana

Will Jones

• Jul 19, 2009

• #2

correct with the first two.

the third is not a knot (no pun intended) looks like a dowitcher sp.

can't help with the last two

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 19, 2009

• #3

Hi Jeff,

I think your IDs are correct for 1-2, and 4-5. #3 is certainly a tough angle and lighting! I'm thinking Stilt Sandpiper, given the well-defined supercilium, masked appearance, and remnants of barring on the belly. Bill and structure do not look quite right for a Dowitcher. (Does not seem long enough for one thing, though obviously length is difficult to judge from this angle).

Best,
Jim

 

J

JeffMoh

Well-known member

• Jul 19, 2009

• #4

Thanks to both of you.

#3 definitely wasn't a Dowitcher. I think Jim's probably right about Stilt.

4 out of 5 isn't bad for me with beach birds!

Jeff

 

C

Cheshire Birder

Well-known member

• Jul 19, 2009

• #5

Do i see a Forsters Tern in the back of pic 2?

CB

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Jul 19, 2009

• #6

No Forster's in there, just different ages of Least. Forster's would not have as much black around the eye, and it would tower over the Leasts.

The third photo is neither a dowitcher nor a Stilt. Both can be ruled out by the dark legs. The shape is good for dowitcher, but not Stilt, which is a very petite creature shaped more like a Lesser Yellowlegs. Beak shape and length don't match up for either too well.

The only other problem bird would be Willet, which never gets a supercillium like that nor traces of rust coloring underneath. This is a worn breeding Red Knot.

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 19, 2009

• #7

birderbf said:

The third photo is neither a dowitcher nor a Stilt. Both can be ruled out by the dark legs. ... This is a worn breeding Red Knot.

Click to expand...

Not necessarily disagreeing with Knot (it does appear bulky for a Stilt Sand). But the tibias are longer than one would expect on a Knot. Compare this photo: http://www.birdspix.com/Species%20folders/Red%20Knot/Red%20Knot%20juv%20012%20cr.jpg
Furthermore, non-breeding Red Knots have light legs. Surely, if this is a Red Knot, it is not in breeding plumage, and so should also have light legs. Moreover, the legs are in the shade, and I don't think we can accurately tell whether they are dark or not (and in fact, when I lighten the photo, the legs appear somewhat lighter than the bill).

Best,
Jim

 

Last edited: Jul 19, 2009