Calidris pugnax? Spain (1 Viewer)

[lunitis]

Hello.
Photos from Alicante area. I think its a Calidris pugnax, but i am not sure..
Thanks.

 

[Bewick]

Can’t necessarily see a ruff but I can see a few black winged stilt adults and one seemingly juvenile.

 

[ApusApus]

Isn't there a Ruff off-centre to the right, wading in the water?


Shane

 

[Bewick]

Isn't there a Ruff off-centre to the right, wading in the water?


Shane

I think it’s a juvenile BWS, look at it’s legs and fine bill.

 

[lou salomon]

no, that's a ruff. look at the proportions and compare size with the Black-winged Stilt to the left.

 

[lunitis]

I have a couple more photos, maybe they help a little bit:
Actualy there are 2 birds that i suppose are ruffs..

 

[THE_FERN]

In the latest, Chrome yellow legs confirm ruff

 

[lunitis]

How do you exclude common greenshank?
Because one from the photo is bulkier and browner (in the neck expecially) that a common greenshank?
Just trying to learn where to look at

 

[Andy Hurley]

How do you exclude common greenshank?
Because one from the photo is bulkier and browner (in the neck expecially) that a common greenshank?
Just trying to learn where to look at

Greenshanks have greenish legs (as the name suggests), Ruffs have orangey red legs , juve Ruffs have straw to yellowy orange legs to my eyes. Greenshanks have slightly upturned bills, which are longer than Ruffs and look very delicate on the whole. Ruffs have stronger colours. They are similar in size.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Lunitis,

Ruff is one of those waders that can provoke confusion with other waders (one reason for this is the marked difference in size between male and female).

Adding to the features, that Andy has already mentioned:

Features to look for (also visible in your birds, I think there are two of them):

• slightly downcurved bill (not so evident like in a Dunlin, but its there)
• chequered pattern on upperparts (with a pattern of square dots) and if there a strongly chequered barred pattern on the tertials (like here: https://c8.alamy.com/compde/t60pab/ruff-vogel-philomachus-pugnax-ruff-wader-vogel-t60pab.jpg and https://c8.alamy.com/compde/c4bym6/...he-nahrungssuche-im-flachen-wasser-c4bym6.jpg)
• a pear-shaped body with a longish neck (compared to Calidris waders) and a head that seems slightly to small for the body

 

[lunitis]

Thanks everyone. This was really helpfull.