Dowitcher? Bahamas (1 Viewer)

I was recently in the Bahamas and took this shot while on an "eco-tour". The tour guide referred to this bird as a Willet, but now that I'm back and I've had a chance to look at my bird guide for the Bahamas, I think it is a short-billed dowitcher.

Is it a dowitcher?

Thanks.

Christine

Definitely a dowitcher, note the barring on the tail. As to which dowitcher, I'd say SB as well due to lighter breast, short-looking bill, and the bars on the tail I was talking about don't seem packed close enough together for LB. Raffaele et al's Birds of the West Indies describes LB Dow as "apparently a very rare migrant." Any more shots by any chance? And may I ask exactly when and where in the Bahamas these where taken?

Hi Christine, very nice photo of a Short-billed Dowitcher in nonbreeding plumage!

The straightish back, palish breast, pale covert edging and lightly marked flanks all combine to separate this bird from Long-billed Dowitchers, but the tail barring we can see really seals the deal. Tail barring is often ambiguous, but the bars on this bird say SBD quite plainly, in my opinion.

Based on location it is likely Limnodromus griseus griseus, and that is reinforced by the distinctly yellow base to the bill. Great shot!

Edited to say that I see Alex replied while I was writing, glad to see that we concur.

overworkedirish said:

Definitely a dowitcher, note the barring on the tail. As to which dowitcher, I'd say SB as well due to lighter breast, short-looking bill, and the bars on the tail I was talking about don't seem packed close enough together for LB. Raffaele et al's Birds of the West Indies describes LB Dow as "apparently a very rare migrant." Any more shots by any chance? And may I ask exactly when and where in the Bahamas these where taken?

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Thanks to both of you.

Alex, I have one other shot that I've attached here. These were taken on San Salvador on Dec 3rd.

fishercl said:

Thanks to both of you.

Alex, I have one other shot that I've attached here. These were taken on San Salvador on Dec 3rd.

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Wow, both are beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing.