Western or Semipalmated Sandpiper, Florida, USA (1 Viewer)

MariettaBirder

Well-known member

• Nov 13, 2009

• #1

I took these photos of the sandpiper from Biolab Road in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on October 31, 2009. They are all of the same individual that was feeding alone along the shore of a saltwater bay.

Base on several guides and an article in Birding, I believe it is a Western Sandpiper, but a friend of mine from the UK who specializes in shorebirds, is leaning toward Semipalmated.

Any additional clarification would be appreciated.

 

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Charlie600

Shutter Bug

• Nov 13, 2009

• #2

I would vote for the Semipalmated. The Western usually has a slightly downturned bill. This is a tough group, especially in non-breeding plumage.

 

Reuven_M

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #3

I'd guess semipalmated, but it isn't too much better than a guess

 

rjackb

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #4

My guess is Semipalmated due to the length of the bill.

 

C

cajanuma

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #5

I really think this is a Western, in terms of structure it is quite plump with a short rear end and the center of gravity in front of the legs. The bill is slightly downcurved and a bit short, but well within the range of variation for Western, I think.

 

rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• Nov 14, 2009

• #6

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this but to my eyes the bird does not look well!
There appears to be some abnormal swelling/growth around the knees and the tarsus, particularly the left leg. The bill shows rather uneven growth also, check images 2 & 3. Unless this is extreme digital artefact, would it not be unwise to judge a bird on these features presuming they could be retarded due to disease or malnutrition. Just a thought!

 

Ronayne88

Seán Ronayne

• Nov 14, 2009

• #7

I'm not quite sure what to call this one. I'd have to think about it a bit more. But, the legs and bill look perfectly fine to me - they just seem to have a lot of the mud in which it's feeding upon, attached.

 

Ronayne88

Seán Ronayne

• Nov 14, 2009

• #8

For one, the head shape just doesn't seem right for semi-p. It doesn't seem as rounded as one would expect for that species. And according to the national geographic, the centre of the breast in a winter plumaged semi-p should never show faint streaking which does occur in some winter westerns. You can see that the centre of the breast here is indeed streaked. I would THINK this is a western, but it just seems a bit odd (but obviously either western or semi-p). The bill does look quite short, but I have seen westerns with bills of similar length. Also, the bill does show a decurvation.

 

Last edited: Nov 14, 2009

Illapa

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #9

I see that the bill is of western SP.
Grettings
Steve

 

Ronayne88

Seán Ronayne

• Nov 14, 2009

• #10

I'd tend to lean towards western alright, but would like to see what others think also.

 

Ronayne88

Seán Ronayne

• Nov 14, 2009

• #11

http://www.giffbeaton.com/Shorebirds/Western Sandpiper_2004-12-17_0110.jpg

This bird doesn't look too dissimilar to the bird in question

 

MariettaBirder

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #12

Thanks all. The vote seems evenly split.

rockfowl said:

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this but to my eyes the bird does not look well!
There appears to be some abnormal swelling/growth around the knees and the tarsus, particularly the left leg. The bill shows rather uneven growth also, check images 2 & 3. Unless this is extreme digital artefact, would it not be unwise to judge a bird on these features presuming they could be retarded due to disease or malnutrition. Just a thought!

Click to expand...

Interesting you should say it's not normal. I got this somewhat fuzzy shot of it where it seems to have a clubbed or damaged left foot. I didn't include it with the original post because of the poor quality.

 

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Last edited: Nov 15, 2009

Ronayne88

Seán Ronayne

• Nov 14, 2009

• #13

Looks like the foot is just flung backwards in motion?

By the way, did you hear that there is a Eurasian wigeon between stops 6 and 7 on Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge? Found today. I love that place. I'll be going back a few times this winter to check it out.

 

MariettaBirder

Well-known member

• Nov 14, 2009

• #14

Ronayne88 said:

By the way, did you hear that there is a Eurasian wigeon between stops 6 and 7 on Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge? Found today. I love that place. I'll be going back a few times this winter to check it out.

Click to expand...

I afraid I won't be able to look for it as I'm back in Georgia.