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Which Stint? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Charles Harper
- Start date
Beverlybaynes
Mod Squad
Only by a stint of hard work would I be able to identify that bird.
Michael Frankis
conehead
Fairly hard one to call, I'd like to see some more pics in different poses.
But I'd go for two likely possibilities:
1. The classic stint-watcher's howler - adult summer Sanderling being confusing by being in atypical habitat. This bird does give the impression of being on the large side for a stint, which would support that, as does the bill length. But I may be mis-judging the size on a lone photo. If a clear view of the foot can be had, the absence of a hind toe is conclusive evidence for this species.
2. Little Stint. This is otherwise the best possibility, matching well on plumage features. The head, upper breast and lesser coverts patterns are wrong for Red-necked Stint, so it isn't that.
Michael
But I'd go for two likely possibilities:
1. The classic stint-watcher's howler - adult summer Sanderling being confusing by being in atypical habitat. This bird does give the impression of being on the large side for a stint, which would support that, as does the bill length. But I may be mis-judging the size on a lone photo. If a clear view of the foot can be had, the absence of a hind toe is conclusive evidence for this species.
2. Little Stint. This is otherwise the best possibility, matching well on plumage features. The head, upper breast and lesser coverts patterns are wrong for Red-necked Stint, so it isn't that.
Michael
Saskbirder
New member
Clarification
Sorry for the confusion, Charles. Yesterday,this bird was at the Minot Sewage Lagoons. ( North Dakota) Apparently, there were many photo's taken. This is the only one that I have seen.
According to a recent post the bird has now left and has been identified as a Little Stint by Steve Easley, a birder with some experience with this species in Africa.
Sorry for the confusion, Charles. Yesterday,this bird was at the Minot Sewage Lagoons. ( North Dakota) Apparently, there were many photo's taken. This is the only one that I have seen.
According to a recent post the bird has now left and has been identified as a Little Stint by Steve Easley, a birder with some experience with this species in Africa.
Darrell Clegg
Well-known member
I agree it's a Little Stint, but I'm interested in the comment about seeing them in Africa. Do they moult into breeding plumage before they migrate?
Darrell
Darrell
Michael Frankis
conehead
Hi Darrell,
I'd guess the first post-breeding adults will arrive in Africa still in summer plumage
Michael
I'd guess the first post-breeding adults will arrive in Africa still in summer plumage
Michael
Hi Charles,
Sorry for the late reply,but I agree with the identification as adult Little Stint.Red-necked Stint can be conclusively ruled out,as Michael said,and I believe that Sanderling can also be ruled out on a few features:
1)the throat is clearly white or whitish.Sanderling would have a Red-necked-like orange "bib",albeit not unmarked as in that species
2)the structure of the bird looks better for Little Stint than for Sanderling
3)the upperparts of Sanderling should show more prominent black centres to the mantle feathers,leading to the bird looking quite dark above.
Harry H
Sorry for the late reply,but I agree with the identification as adult Little Stint.Red-necked Stint can be conclusively ruled out,as Michael said,and I believe that Sanderling can also be ruled out on a few features:
1)the throat is clearly white or whitish.Sanderling would have a Red-necked-like orange "bib",albeit not unmarked as in that species
2)the structure of the bird looks better for Little Stint than for Sanderling
3)the upperparts of Sanderling should show more prominent black centres to the mantle feathers,leading to the bird looking quite dark above.
Harry H
Jane Turner
Well-known member
For what its worth, this looks like an absolutely classic Little Stint to me.
