Unknown Plover - Massachusetts, USA (1 Viewer)

[Merg]

I'm about 75% sure this is a juvenile killdeer...but I'd like some other opinions...

reasons why it might be:

• black bill
• light stripe over/behind eye
• giss
• it's not significantly larger than the dunlin in the one picture (IF I got that I.D. right)

reasons why it might not be:

• mainly the broken breast band

the juvy should have at least one complete, yes?
I've never seen even a juvy with a break in the breast band.​

• The wings extending to the end of the tail.

Any thoughts/input are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Chris Benesh]

Hi Merg,

I would say it is one of these:
http://www.birdsasart.com/Semipalmated Plover juvenile.jpg
A juvenile Semipalmated Plover.

Chris

 

[Matt_RTH]

Novice attempt but possibly Snowy? The more I look at it, the less I think Killdeer, but that usually guarantees that it is I was also thinking semi palmated but I just don't see it.

Edit: I guess it has yellow legs. Couldn't tell originally. Distribution maps don't bode well, either.

 

[Merg]

Hi Merg,

I would say it is one of these:
http://www.birdsasart.com/Semipalmated Plover juvenile.jpg
A juvenile Semipalmated Plover.

Chris

I wondered the same thing at first, Chris. I saw NO orange in the bill though. Even through my scope. But I suppose that doesnt necessarily exclude it.

But the rest looks pretty close, I'd say...

Thanks.

 

[Chris Benesh]

I wondered the same thing at first, Chris. I saw NO orange in the bill though. Even through my scope. But I suppose that doesnt necessarily exclude it.

But the rest looks pretty close, I'd say....

Hi Merg,

Many juveniles have virtually no orange visible on the bill. There is often just a slight paling at the base of the mandible. See these:
http://floridabirds-l.50megs.com/SEPLjuv90705PL.jpg
http://www.bonairediveandadventure.com/images/birds/Semi-palmated Plover by Jerry Ligon.jpg
http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Features/waders/wilsonsemipplov0801.jpg

Chris