Pacific-golden or Black-bellied Plover? CA (1 Viewer)

[rwblackbird57]

Hello all,

Saw this plover today in Imperial Beach, CA and can't decide between Black-bellied or Pacific-golden Plover. Black-bellied is by far the more common species here, but there has been a Pacific-golden wintering at this location for awhile.

 

[howiewu]

I think Black-bellied. Golden Plover would have really thin bill.

 

[rwblackbird57]

Yea, been leaning towards Black-bellied too. Don't have much experience with Pacific-golden though.

 

[P.Sunesen]

Squatarola it is.
Heavy bill and proportions (including eye size relative to head) as well as pattern on emerging winter plumage feathers are good id-marks.

Peter

 

[Djerf]

Hi Peter!
Please clarify what you mean when you write "eye size relative to head".
I agree with the Id - a Grey Plover (Black-bellied) it is.
All the best
Joakim

 

[P.Sunesen]

Hi Peter!
Please clarify what you mean when you write "eye size relative to head".
I agree with the Id - a Grey Plover (Black-bellied) it is.
All the best
Joakim

I have skinned both species and measured the size of the iris. Don't remember the exact measurements right now, but can look them up later.

What I meant was thus that the skull of the larger species is considerably larger than the skull of the smaller species, but the diameter of the iris isn't.

If the present photo had shown a Pacific Plover, the iris would consequently be proportionally larger (relative to the head) than on this Grey Plover.

Peter

 

[Djerf]

Thank you Peter!

Joakim