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Any tips on separating non-breeding golden (pacific) and grey plover nth Australia (1 Viewer)

redowl

Member
Appreciate if anyone could provide tips on separating these species...
 

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Grey Plover is significantly larger.
Grey Plover has obvious black axillaries ('armpits') visible in flight: Pacific Goldie has them grey.
The calls of the two are very different.

Steve
 
In addition to Steve's comments above, in your two examples you can note the thinner billed look of your Pacific Golden Plovers with one showing the bright golden spangles to the upperparts lacking on Grey Plover. In your first shot, notice the toes, especially the lack of a hind toe. It just so happens that with an exceptional view like this, the presence of a hind toe would indicate a Grey Plover.
Confer: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/7...10.889549233.1542414897-1908399866.1538285703

Chris
 
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