lou salomon
the birdonist
Limeybirder said:The females actually have longer bills Lou. There is considerable overlap between the eastern Semipalms and Western Sandpipers, which breed in Alaska. Alaskan Semipalms have shorter bills so they aren't competing for the same food source as the predominant Western whilst on the breeding grounds. Eastern Semipalms have got it all to themselves so they have longer bills, some females (like the one in the thumbnail) have Western like bills, which often causes confusion.
thanks Limeybirder, i knew there was sth about bill length in genders but didn't remember well, having been birding only on pacific coast (bay area); interesting and informative!