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Abu Dhabi, UAE - Dec 2016 (1 Viewer)

FSBirder

Member
Hello,
These photos were taken at a protected wetlands near Abu Dhabi, UAE in December 2016. Greatly appreciate any help with identifying these birds.
I'm considering (with little confidence): 1) common redshank and 2) little stint.

Thank you!
 

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Yes to Common Redshank.

Difficult to tell with #2, the leg colour is impossible to tell in silhouette - I'm not sure it might not be a Temminck's Stint, rather than Little. Any other pics of it not against the light?
 
Nutcracker - Thanks very much. Unfortunately, that was the only angle I had of that one. I'm still sorting through photos so if I find any similar, I'll post.

Simon - Thanks very much. I'll go with those.
 
The first is a spotted redshank... isn't it?

The second is a bit tricky because of the lighting but I'd punt on it being a little stint as well.
 
looks like a temminck's stint to me. short tail projection, apparently. grey breast markings well spearated from white underparts.
 
looks like a temminck's stint to me. short tail projection, apparently. grey breast markings well spearated from white underparts.

I was going to suggest Temminck's as well. Additionally the way the bill is decurved looks better for Temminck's in my eyes. But hard to tell with this backlight.

I also think #1 is a Spotted Redshank. Too long-billed and long-legged for "normal" Redshank.
 
looks like a temminck's stint to me. short tail projection, apparently. grey breast markings well separated from white underparts.

Yeah, my first impression was Temminck's but I can't ascertain whether there is a tail projection which is why I punted for little. Temminck's tail projection should be apparent... if I remember that correctly?
 
I also thought that the upperpart patterning was slightly better for Little but especially, the pale looking forehead and the structure; which to me doesn't look elonated enough for TS. In fact I was discounting TS altogether and considering Red-necked Stint - but thought unlikely:-O.
 
Common Redshank on #1 for me. I think the structure looks fine for one of the eastern subspecies of Common, especially when you consider burn-out on the photo making the bill look slender. I also think the plumage fits better for Common e.g. plain tertials, streaked throat, lores not dark, legs more orange than red.

I think Little Stint for #2. Structure looks right for Little to me, and Temminck's would rarely wade this deep into water in my experience. Bill shape fits Little better than Red-necked.
 
Common Redshank on #1 for me. I think the structure looks fine for one of the eastern subspecies of Common,

With fresh eyes this morning that makes sense to me as I was always having trouble agreeing that this is a Spotshank.....I've also noticed that some photos accentuate Common's head pattern giving an almost Spotshank look. Surely its bill and legs aren't quite long enough for Spotshank anyway. Regarding eastern Commons, I've no idea if they occur in UAE but I can see this a "normal" one, maybe a little sleeked in warm temps. Anyway, I'm easily swayed away from my impressions of photos so take this post with a pinch of salt ;)
 
Thank you!

Thanks to everyone for this lively discussion. It's been a terrific help to this rank amateur. The preponderance seems to be with Common Redshank and Little Stint, both lifers for me (as would be Spotted and Temminck's, if that were the case). James
 
Can agree with the Redshank (though still seems to have a rather long tibia). Not convinced with Little Stint. I suppose there are no other pics showing an other angle for instance?
 
Aye, a fascinating thread, so many unable to decide for sure! I'm still for Common Redshank for 1, and still unable to decide whether Little or Temminck's for 2, could be either - perhaps best left as Calidris (sp.)?
 
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