[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi,

Usual case (23rd June / Belgium).
http://www.valeryschollaert.com/inde...=74&Itemid=318

I think this photo interesting. I wonder what is your opinion... of course whatever is your answer I will ask you WHY?


Many thanks

Valéry

[Clive A]

Shortish bill,dark cap and eye stripe make this a Whimbrel in my opinion.

[Jane Turner]

I think it has to be a Whimbrel - but its got a really non-whimbrel like body shape in this pose!

[Andy Hall]

I don't recall having seen a Whimbrel with such a pronounced curve to the bill

[CAU]

To me it looks like a Curlew:
-the scapulars have yellowish edges (greyish on a Whimbrel)
-the upperwing coverts have broad whitish edges (the dark centres are wider on a Whimber creating a smaller contrast with the scapulars)
-the flanks have thin streaks with only a few thin transverse bars (a Whimbrel has pretty strong transverse patterns on the flanks)

I believe that the head pattern is within the range of the variation of Curlew.

Whimbrel:
http://www.tarsiger.com/gallery/inde...62401&lang=eng

Curlews:
http://www.tarsiger.com/gallery/inde...75441&lang=eng

[Brian Stretch]

Originally Posted by Andy Hall

I don't recall having seen a Whimbrel with such a pronounced curve to the bill

I agree with this, the curve is too uniform for Whimbrel and the overall body shape doesn't favour Whimbrel either.

Brian
_______________________________
www.worcesterbirding.co.uk
www.westmidlandsbirding.co.uk

[dafi]

Im with the Curlew camp....female Curlew

[nickderry]

I'm with curlew on this one, apart from the head pattern (which isn't that strong anyway) the evenly curved bill, quite long leg and body shape say curlew. I don't suppose there are any more photos?

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi all,

They are 2 more photos but poorer quality and just sho the same.

What do you think about the pinkish base of lower mandible?

Thanks

[marklhawkes]

Another Curlew vote - the "capped" appearance is probably just an artifact of the light. I don't see the pale bill base as being at odds for Eurasian Curlew either.

[Andy Hall]

Originally Posted by dafi

Im with the Curlew camp....female Curlew

More likely male

[Pluvialis fulva]

Originally Posted by dafi

Im with the Curlew camp....female Curlew

Females have longer bills then males.

[Valéry Schollaert]

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your help. This bird is REALLY DARK CAPPED according to the observer/photographer who sent this photo because he saw this whimbrel-like patterned bird with a curlew-like shape (and size, according to him).

I see that a majority wrote "Curlew" and I would say, indeed, that the shape is more important than the plumage.

Except for the head contrast and the shape, is there any details that can help?

Thanks again

Valéry

[Stoggler]

Incidentally Valéry, I notice the French name for the two birds (corlieu ou cendré) - I assume that corlieu is the French name for curlew?

[Bird-Nut]

I think the bird's bill is both too long and down curved to be a Whimbrel. If anyone has seen the leaflet that came free in Jan 09's issue of "Birdwatch" magazine called "A toolkit for finding Slender-billed Curlews" The first page shows the differences between Eurasian Curlew N. a arquata, Eurasian Curlew N. a. orientalis and Whimbrel N. phaeopus for Juvenile/first-winter plumages; and the whimbrel has very pronounced 'stripe' head markings even at that age. So my 10p's worth is on Curlew.

[Valéry Schollaert]

Stoggler,

No... Courlis corlieu is Whimbrel (Courlis is the name given to all Numenius -Curlews and Whimbrels- in french). Courlis cendré in Curlew.

As in most language we often shortened the names. "Corlieu" for "Courlis corlieu" (as no other bird are called "corlieu" in the World...)

Regards,

[Stoggler]

Originally Posted by Valéry Schollaert

Stoggler,

No... Courlis corlieu is Whimbrel (Courlis is the name given to all Numenius -Curlews and Whimbrels- in french). Courlis cendré in Curlew.

As in most language we often shortened the names. "Corlieu" for "Courlis corlieu" (as no other bird are called "corlieu" in the World...)

Regards,

Many thanks for that.

I like your site by the way. Been brushing up on my French with it!

[Valéry Schollaert]

Thanks!

When you are tired to translate, you can click on the English flag
:-)

Cheers,

[Stoggler]

Originally Posted by Valéry Schollaert

Thanks!

When you are tired to translate, you can click on the English flag
:-)

Cheers,

UK flag, surely...? ;-)

I did have a look at the English version, but always like to keep my French abilities going!

[dafi]

Originally Posted by Pluvialis fulva

Females have longer bills then males.

yup with you there.

Still a Curlew.