Another American in Australia (1 Viewer)

[Laurie Knight]

Another American (Bird) in Australia

Shades of Gershwin here. Not only has the Lesser Yellowlegs that turned up last year returned to the same location in NSW, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper has turned up at Bundaberg [Wide Bay region of Queensland].
I got to see the bird yesterday. It is a bit longer than a Red-necked Stint [longer necked and apparently smaller headed] but much slimmer round the chest than a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
I've attached a few shots I took - nothing flash, but they are clear enough for ID purposes.
I was wondering about the migration pattern of this species. Does it do a chain of relatively short hops or does it normally fly between its "summer" zones with a small number of stops?
I wondering if this has a bearing on the American vagrants that turn up in Australia? A BBS is a relatively small wader and I was wondering if species that flew long legs were more likely to make it to significantly out of range areas?

Regards, Laurie

 

[AmeliaR]

Hi Laurie
Wondering if your bird is not maybe a Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). The bill seems slightly decurved and the upperparts looks scalloped or "scaled".
Regards
Amelia

 

[lou salomon]

no, definitely a buff-breasted. although some similarities in plumage especially the scaled look to it, buff breasted has a totally different shape, in this case the large "chicken" head with the steap forehead is most conspicous. buffish underparts well visible.

cheers