Wader ID - Australia (1 Viewer)

IanC · Jan 20, 2007

Hi All, a new bird for me and struggling with ID, hopefully the photo is clear enough to help.

I have another shot to try and make it a bit easier I hope. I was shooting into the sun making it very difficult to get a clear shot. I will return one afternoon with the sun iun the west and see if I can improve.

The photo was taken in Port Macquarie NSW.

Thanks in advance.

Ghostly Vision · Jan 20, 2007

Although heavily backlit, it is certainly a Godwit, and by the length of the bill I'd say Black-tailed.

Sean

tf1044x · Jan 21, 2007

If that is barring that I can see on the tail, then I would have to go with Bar-tailed

deborah4 · Jan 21, 2007

tf1044x said:
If that is barring that I can see on the tail, then I would have to go with Bar-tailed

It is a Bar-tailed but easier to identify from slightly upcurved bill, and more extensive super along with other plumage considerations (if my eyes don't deceive me with the photo

)

J Moss · Jan 21, 2007

Agree with Deborah. Black Tailed Godwits are very plain on the back, and these show clear markings.

BTW, do you get Hudsonian Godwits your side of the world? No idea what they look like, but its might be worth a look

Jason

mcaribou · Jan 21, 2007

Agree with Bar-tailed
Sometimes a Bar-tailed has an unupcurved bill

Jane Turner · Jan 21, 2007

Hre we have further proof that the Godwits that occur in Australasia are structurally different to the ones that we are used to in W.Europe. I agree with Sean - structurally they look like Blackwits, if a little too short in the leg. However they can't be.

deborah4 · Jan 21, 2007

more info links: 2 other ssp of Lamosa Laponica migrate to Australia - in NW, Menzbieri, with slightly longer bill and shorter wing - main difference found in plumage. As with all sp though, females have longer bills:

http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/godwit.htm

http://www.nzshorebirds.com/species.html

http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdimage&bid=439&fid=35&p=15&pagesize=1

http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdimage&bid=439&fid=35&p=14&pagesize=1

JRE · Jan 21, 2007

Bar-tailed Godwits

Steven Astley · Jan 21, 2007

When I first opened it up I thought they were some other species of Godwit that we, Brits, don't get. That bill is huge

Jeff Hopkins · Jan 21, 2007

J Moss said:
Agree with Deborah. Black Tailed Godwits are very plain on the back, and these show clear markings.

BTW, do you get Hudsonian Godwits your side of the world? No idea what they look like, but its might be worth a look

Jason

Jason, a Hudwit in winter plumage would not have the streaking and marking on the breast. They're just plain grey and white.

flipper · Jan 21, 2007

Structurally i would have said black tailed but on a second look would have to be bar tailed. Interesting bird to ID
Robbie

J Moss · Jan 22, 2007

Jeff hopkins said:
Jason, a Hudwit in winter plumage would not have the streaking and marking on the breast. They're just plain grey and white.

Thanks Jeff. Googled it earlier. They also appear to have a much shorter bill, and the barring on the tail of this bird makes it a Barwit anyway.

Cheers

Jason

IanC · Jan 22, 2007

Thanks everyone, I will try and get some better shots. Appreciate your help.

AlexC · Jan 22, 2007

J Moss said:
Agree with Deborah. Black Tailed Godwits are very plain on the back, and these show clear markings.

BTW, do you get Hudsonian Godwits your side of the world? No idea what they look like, but its might be worth a look

Jason

On Hudsonian Godwit, Clements lists their range as: Canadian Arctic; winters Atlantic coast of s South America.

Marcus Lawson · Jan 22, 2007

overworkedirish said:
On Hudsonian Godwit, Clements lists their range as: Canadian Arctic; winters Atlantic coast of s South America.

There are records from both Australia and New Zealand.

J Moss · Jan 22, 2007

overworkedirish said:
On Hudsonian Godwit, Clements lists their range as: Canadian Arctic; winters Atlantic coast of s South America.

Yeah, but the birds that breed in Alaska and Eastern Siberia Winter in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

AlexC · Jan 22, 2007

Marcus Lawson said:
There are records from both Australia and New Zealand.

Wow, cool! These are strange/extraordinary records, yes?

J Moss · Jan 22, 2007

overworkedirish said:
Wow, cool! These are strange/extraordinary records, yes?

Sorry your right. Hudsonian is only a vagrant. They dont winter in oz or New Zealand

Pluvius · Jan 22, 2007

Here are acouple of photos of Bar Tailed Godwit that i took this afternoon in UK

Wader ID - Australia (1 Viewer)

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Migration coming

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Guest

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Just another...observer

15-still learning

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Aves en Los Ángeles

I've had to have a few of these!

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