unidentified North American sandpipers (1 Viewer)

T

Tomm

Member

• Apr 17, 2004

• #1

Photographed during December in Ecuador.
Unfortunately no better picture available.
A size comparison was difficult, but they were very small.
To me it could be anything from Least, semipalmated, Western, to Baird's sandpiper. The light was very bad, so I am not sure the dark legs were really that dark.
Any suggestions appreciated - Thanks!

 

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CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 17, 2004

• #2

Hi Tomm and welcome to Bird Forum from all the Moderators and Admin Staff.
Your birds look like Semi-P's to me, but I'm sure someone will correct me!

 

Last edited: Apr 17, 2004

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2004

• #3

Off to build a case for Western... but I fear its a forlorn hope

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 17, 2004

• #4

Take your time Jane....

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2004

• #5

I have more chance of building a case for winter plumaged Bairds think... come to think of it those bills are pretty fine based.. and there is a lot of primary showing....

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 17, 2004

• #6

ZZzzz! Oh, you're back. While you were away I dreamt that some headcase said they were Baird's.....

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2004

• #7

Well the more I look at them the less they look like WP Semi P...which is the plumage I'm most familiar with it must be the booze. The structure is all wrong... I am starting think they are Bairds

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 17, 2004

• #8

Take no notice of Jane, Tomm. She's pi$$ed again!

 

T

Tomm

Member

• Apr 18, 2004

• #9

Jane, CJW,

thanks a lot for your enthusiasm and your comments - I wish I could have delivered a better shot. But may be the picture is just not good enough to come to a final conclusion. It was taken during dusk. Thanks anyway!

Tomm

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 18, 2004

• #10

CJW said:

Take no notice of Jane, Tomm. She's pi$$ed again!

Click to expand...

Oi CJ, who are you calling a lush!

Explain this then...

 

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CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 18, 2004

• #11

It's a thin black line joined to a broader white line by a double-ended arrow.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 18, 2004

• #12

CJW said:

It's a thin black line joined to a broader white line by a double-ended arrow.

Click to expand...

Otherwise known as a honking great primary projection!

 

Last edited: Apr 18, 2004

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Apr 18, 2004

• #13

Goodnight Jane. Hope you're head's OK in the morning.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 18, 2004

• #14

Chris I know Semi P are wildly variable, but all these birds are identical in structure. Semi P's are little tubby things.. with short broad based bills...


Has anyone got any pics of WP Bairds - they always look like walking weetabix here!

 

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Last edited: Apr 18, 2004

Charles Harper

Régisseur

• Apr 18, 2004

• #15

Primary projection is a pretty good argument; only other peep that's got it is White-rumped. Don't know who winters in Ecuador, though-- both of 'em?

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Apr 18, 2004

• #16

Well, I'll go "against the grain"! When I first looked at them they looked like the Semipalm's I see here in Missouri. The more I looked at them the more they looked like Semipalm's. The streaking on the breast is more concentrated toward the sides, leaving mostly white in the middle of the breast, which is what I see on most of the birds that I see. The bill also looks good to me for Semi, a Western (I believe) would have a longer bill and a slight droop toward the end.

 

Last edited: Apr 19, 2004

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Apr 18, 2004

• #17

Larry Lade said:

Well, I'll go "against the grain"! When I first looked at them they looked like the Semipalm's I see here in Missouri. The more I looked at them the more they looked like Semipalm's. The streaking on the breast is more concentrated toward the sides, leaving mostly white in the middle of the breast, which is what I see on most of the bills that I see. The bill also looks good to me for Semi, a Western (I believe) would have a longer bill and a slight droop toward the end.

Click to expand...

Am with you on the breast markings... just about, but they still don't look like Semi P structurally to me.. (heads or bunms as it were)... someting looks wrong on the head pattern too. It doesn't help that we are so tuned in to ID'ing juvs

 

Warbler

Warbler Watcher

• Apr 18, 2004

• #18

It looks like they're Baird's Sandpiper to me. I see what you mean, Jane, about them looking structurally not like Semi-palmated.

 

oldsquaw

Old Tooter

• Apr 18, 2004

• #19

The droop at the tip of the bill is the key to me. IMO Westerns.

 

M

mountain man

Guest

• Apr 18, 2004

• #20

I'm with Jane on this one. Baird's. Shape & bill is fine. Breast also. Don't think they are W.Rump. But I'm willing to be told otherwise.

Wrong shape for Semi-P, never seen Western. If the legs really aren't black then I haven't got a clue, cuz it sure don't look like Least (only seen 1).

Tom.