Peep Northern Seward Peninsula, Alaska (1 Viewer)

shishmarefbirder

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2008

• #1

There were two peeps hanging out with a Dunlin along the water's edge. Quick little buggers, especially for the amount of light so the birds blurred in all the images. I am hoping these pics (the best that I was able to take) will be good enough for an id.

They were pale colored. The bills seem a little short for semipalmated. I was wondering if they weren't juvenile Red-necked Stints?

 

Attachments

• 
  piper.jpg

  29.3 KB · Views: 119
• 
  piper1.jpg

  28.8 KB · Views: 112
• 
  piper2.jpg

  31.3 KB · Views: 110

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• Aug 17, 2008

• #2

First off, I've never seen juv Red-necked Stint, but would expect to see some warmer edgings to the mantle and scapular feathers, possibly the crown too, which seem to be lacking when I lighten the images up. This looks like a Sanderling to me.

James

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Aug 17, 2008

• #3

Agree with Sanderling. The full "collar" appears somewhat unusual, but otherwise the photo looks virtually identical to the photo on page 139 of "The Shorebird Guide". (Thought I saw a hind toe at first in the middle photo, but that must be a regular toe instead).

Best,
Jim

 

jcwings

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2008

• #4

Red-necked Stint is actually smaller than Sanderling, but size is difficult to judge without direct comparison. In the third photo it appears as though you can see there is no hind toe on the raised foot which would make this a Sanderling.

For comparison here are some excellent Red-necked Stint photos of a bird recently in San Diego, CA:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68911779@N00/

 

shishmarefbirder

Well-known member

• Aug 17, 2008

• #5

Thanks for the physical diagnostics that I can use beyond my color blindness. The lack of a hind toe will certainly be something I will look for. Either would have been a new species for me for the year so either way I am excited.