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Western or Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Trinidad (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ravenwing
- Start date
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
I'd lean toward Semi-P, simply on bill shape but that in itself is probably not enough.
jogresh
Bimble and patch
Semi P for me, as mentioned bill shape (ie, shorter and less curved than Western, it also shows the doubtfully-helpful "blobby tip") but also shorter legs than WS. Also, WS can look large-headed at times. And when u throw in distribution.. Now where are those (semi-) palmations..? 
tom baxter
Well-known member
It is a semipalmated sandpiper. The bill is too short and stout for typical western. The positioning of the legs is pretty suggestive of semi as well, it is very subtle but western sandpipers legs are positioned a bit rear of the center of gravity whereas semi are positioned in the center. Some postures are easier to tell than others but structurally they are different. You can’t really tell the leg thing a lot of the time but it’s more of a giss thing to me. This bird is evenly proportioned, has a short bill and relatively short legs. I would bet money on semi. If you google search images of westerns and look at lots of photos, you will see some evidence to the leg positioning that I’m talking about. You won’t find rear positioned legs on semis. consistency of this characteristic is hidden in various postures, it’s a real thing though and it is structural.
Ravenwing
Well-known member
Thanks, that is a great detailed explanation. I had not heard about the leg positioning but I see what you mean. Our local guide said Western. My first thought was Semi-palmated but I didn't want to go against him.
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