Mystery Shorebird (1 Viewer)

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Saluki2

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2016

• #1

Saw this rather large shorebird at Point Loma, CA, January 23, 2016. It was at a good distance and my first thought was maybe a yellowlegs or willet. Looking at the photo later however, neither of these seemed right. The bill is rather reddish/orange and the legs are definitely not yellow. So, suggestions?

 

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  12.15.2016A - Mystery shorebird - Point Loma, CA, 10am, jan 23, 2016PICT0209.jpg

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wimvdam

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2016

• #2

Judging by the overall plumb shape, gray color, thick bill, and habitat I say that's a Willet. The reddish colors are chromatic aberrations of the lens and they are not the colors of the bird itself (see also the purplish glow on its back).

Wim van Dam
Solvang, CA, USA

 

S

Saluki2

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2016

• #3

wimvdam said:

Judging by the overall plumb shape, gray color, thick bill, and habitat I say that's a Willet. The reddish colors are chromatic aberrations of the lens and they are not the colors of the bird itself (see also the purplish glow on its back).

Wim van Dam
Solvang, CA, USA

Click to expand...

Thanks. The colors are what threw me, but I agree with your ID and explanation.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Dec 16, 2016

• #4

I've moved your thread to the Bird I D section of the forum and I have subscribed you to this thread so that you will get email notifications when someone posts in your thread

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Dec 16, 2016

• #5

Ditto to [Western] Willet :t:

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Dec 16, 2016

• #6

Another for willet.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Dec 16, 2016

• #7

A very slim bill for a Willet......

If that were in Europe I'd have gone for Redshank?


A

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Dec 17, 2016

• #8

andyadcock said:

A very slim bill for a Willet......

Click to expand...

Think that's just burnout from the bright backlight :t:

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Dec 17, 2016

• #9

Nutcracker said:

Think that's just burnout from the bright backlight :t:

Click to expand...

Agree, an artifact of the strong backlighting.