Please ID (1 Viewer)

[lizmcm]

Please ID these birds. I took the pics this afternoon just before a thunderstorm - the wind was quite strong and it wasn't easy hand-holding my camera to my binoculars. These pics are my first ever - I've got some gear now - but no knowledge! |=)|
Liz

 

[gusford]

1 = Redshank
2= Bar tailed Godwits

 

[chris3871]

1 = Redshank
2= Bar tailed Godwits

I was just about to reply the same, but 'refreshed' and saw I was beaten to it.

 

[tracker]

Redshank, and i thought Blacktailed Godwit. Will like to see other views.

tracker

 

[godwit]

Agree with Black-tailed, Bar-tailed has much shorter legs.

Dave

 

[robinm]

Black-tailed Godwit for me.

 

[M Cowming]

Hi all,

I agree with Redshank for the first photo and the other two individuals are Black-tailed Godwits.
Whilst the obvious wing bar and black tail are not obvious in this photo there are a couple of distinctive features evident.
Firstly, as Dave rightly mentioned, Black-tailed Godwits have longer legs, particularly the tibiae which is the upper leg between knee and body.
Secondly, Black-tailed Godwits have straighter bills which are orangey/pink culminating in a black tip. Bar-tailed bills would be more dark and more obviously upturned.

One more tip would be the wing appearance. Black-tailed Godwits have a more uniform "grey" wing, particularly in winter plumage whereas Bar-taileds are more obviously streaked or mottled. The wings on these birds appear to be very uniform.

Very good photos considering they were taken through bins!!!!

Regards,

 

[tracker]

Hi,
The length of the leg above the knee was a key to me deciding they were Black-tailed Godwits. Good tip regarding the 'more uniform grey wing' too, M Cowming.

And yes, very good shots taken through binoculars, Liz. Well done..... :t:

tracker

 

[treecreeper]

Looks perfect for Black-tailed Godwit to me also. Another i.d feature is that these birds shows a small supercilium ( stripe above the eye ) which is indicative of Black-tailed Godwits. Bar-tailed show a longer eye stripe.

Tom

 

[Ruby]

Hi Liz,

A good tip for leg length on Godwits which makes it easy to remember is that there is room to write the work 'Black' on a Blackwit's upper leg, but only room for the word 'Bar' on a Barwit's.

No-one has yet specified what font should be used though...


Rgds..... Ruby

 

[lizmcm]

Thanks everyone for your answers and tips. When I can afford a scope I may be able to get better shots to help with "IDing" what I see. I know I've got a lot to learn but in the meantime it's nice to know there are so many experts on this forum who are willing to share their knowledge.
Liz