Least or Semiplamated Sandpiper -- Central Montana (1 Viewer)

[Micah_G]

I was just birding yesterday in central Montana and found a dozen or more peeps on the edge of a small pond (I already ID'd the larger Bairds Sandpiper). I think they are Leasts because of their more brown plumage and having a little longer decurved bill compared to the Semi. You can find more photos here https://ebird.org/checklist/S117004960

 

[Butty]

Looks right.

 

[tom baxter]

Agree with Least Sandpiper, but it looks like the other bird facing away in the 2nd photo might be a Semipalmated.

 

[KC Foggin]

Least for me and so nicely captured Micah!

 

[Micah_G]

Agree with Least Sandpiper, but it looks like the other bird facing away in the 2nd photo might be a Semipalmated.

I ID'd those as Bairds. You can look at my eBird checklist for more photos of them

 

[Indobirder]

I ID'd those as Bairds. You can look at my eBird checklist for more photos of them

1 definitely is. I'm not seeing Baird's for the other, but the two photos with that bird are not ideal.

 

[THE_FERN]

Agree with Least Sandpiper, but it looks like the other bird facing away in the 2nd photo might be a Semipalmated.

Yes. I can see yellow legs on the least sands. Agree the bird looking away is a semi, and the larger birds are plausibly Baird's as you (op) say

 

[Micah_G]

Yes. I can see yellow legs on the least sands. Agree the bird looking away is a semi, and the larger birds are plausibly Baird's as you (op) say

I think your right, it does appear that one of the "Bairds" is smaller than the rest and it also has a shorter thicker bill which matches Semipalmated