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lassa8 · Tuesday 10th May 2005, 19:44

These shorebirds were seen on a mudflat in north-central Missouri the other day. Long-billed dowitchers?

Richard Scott · Tuesday 10th May 2005, 19:52

looks like Marbled Godwit to me. Upturned bill and dark rump.

lassa8 · Tuesday 10th May 2005, 20:01

These birds were seen in the company of one American avocet....they looked just slightly smaller. I initially thought at least the middle bird was not a dowitcher, but my friend said that they were all dowitchers.

JANJ · Tuesday 10th May 2005, 20:33

Hi!
Your friend was wrong I´m afraid. They are as far away from beeing dowitchers as they can get.
Looks like Marbled Godwits, but you can check your field guide, and work it out.
I am sure you will succeed!
Regards JanJ

TWM · Tuesday 10th May 2005, 21:11

Defenitely Godwits

lassa8 · Wednesday 11th May 2005, 00:16

Thanks everyone....after looking over some notes, talking to my friend who was with me and getting some replies on the local listserve, we're very confident that we had Hudsonian Godwits. You can't see it well in the photo, but we mistook chestnut flanks for a breeding plumaged long-billed dowitcher. We also noted that the underside of the wings looked very black when the group took flight.

birdpotter · Wednesday 11th May 2005, 01:44

Looks Hudsonian to me. That middle one looks like a female, yes?
But do you know how often they are spotted in your area? It doesn't look to be that often, eh? Pretty cool.
Best
Elizabeth

lassa8 · Wednesday 11th May 2005, 01:49

I don't think they're seen around here too often, but I know there have been some seen in Missouri recently. It's a bit surprising to see a group of five! We definitely didn't expect to see that...especially with an avocet!

birdpotter · Wednesday 11th May 2005, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by lassa8

I don't think they're seen around here too often, but I know there have been some seen in Missouri recently. It's a bit surprising to see a group of five! We definitely didn't expect to see that...especially with an avocet!

Fantastic!! Good on you for getting to see them there then. I wonder if their migratory patterns are moving to the east. So many other birds have become regulars in MO, over the last ten or so years, that were considered more western birds before.

I have yet to see an avocet, some day....some....day.

Best
Elizabeth

Tuesday 10th May 2005, 19:44	#1
lassa8 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri - USA Posts: 811	Shorebird ID Question These shorebirds were seen on a mudflat in north-central Missouri the other day. Long-billed dowitchers? Attached Thumbnails

Tuesday 10th May 2005, 20:01	#3
lassa8 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri - USA Posts: 811	These birds were seen in the company of one American avocet....they looked just slightly smaller. I initially thought at least the middle bird was not a dowitcher, but my friend said that they were all dowitchers. Last edited by lassa8 : Tuesday 10th May 2005 at 21:42.

Wednesday 11th May 2005, 01:44	#7
birdpotter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: oregon!!! Posts: 1,337	Looks Hudsonian to me. That middle one looks like a female, yes? But do you know how often they are spotted in your area? It doesn't look to be that often, eh? Pretty cool. Best Elizabeth __________________ "Groove is in the Heart" --Dee-Lite
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Tuesday 10th May 2005, 19:52	#2
Richard Scott Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 234	looks like Marbled Godwit to me. Upturned bill and dark rump.

Tuesday 10th May 2005, 20:33	#4
JANJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,791	Hi! Your friend was wrong I´m afraid. They are as far away from beeing dowitchers as they can get. Looks like Marbled Godwits, but you can check your field guide, and work it out. I am sure you will succeed! Regards JanJ

Tuesday 10th May 2005, 21:11	#5
TWM Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North east Scotland Posts: 1,964	Defenitely Godwits

Wednesday 11th May 2005, 00:16	#6
lassa8 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri - USA Posts: 811	Thanks everyone....after looking over some notes, talking to my friend who was with me and getting some replies on the local listserve, we're very confident that we had Hudsonian Godwits. You can't see it well in the photo, but we mistook chestnut flanks for a breeding plumaged long-billed dowitcher. We also noted that the underside of the wings looked very black when the group took flight.

Wednesday 11th May 2005, 01:49	#8
lassa8 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri - USA Posts: 811	I don't think they're seen around here too often, but I know there have been some seen in Missouri recently. It's a bit surprising to see a group of five! We definitely didn't expect to see that...especially with an avocet!

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