S Thailand Whimbrel? (1 Viewer)

[bhutjoe]

There were about 7 of these close by on several rocks just off a beach on Koh Samui. I think they are Whimbrels but just in case they are something else, like a curlew I thought I would ask on here for confirmation or correction.
Thank you in advance
steve

 

[lou salomon]

yes, they are whimbrels.

 

[THE_FERN]

Certainly look like: you can see the whimbrel crown stripes in most of the photos and the kinked bill shape

 

[bhutjoe]

Thank you Lou and the Fern for your confirmation. Much appreciated.
steve

 

[Nutcracker]

I'd guess pretty safe to assume Eurasian Whimbrel rather than (recently split) Hudsonian Whimbrel (New World) - though how one could tell for certain without seeing the rump, I'm not sure!

 

[bhutjoe]

Hi nutcracker, i have attached a few more photos taken showing the rear of the bird, not sure if they show what would make the difference between the two whimbrels though
steve

 

[RafaelMatias]

I'd guess pretty safe to assume Eurasian Whimbrel rather than (recently split) Hudsonian Whimbrel (New World) - though how one could tell for certain without seeing the rump, I'm not sure!

I agree it's pretty safe (100%). Hudsonian would be a Mega there, while Eurasian is one of the most common wader species there. I guess that would be the same as raising the issue for an ID request of a Whimbrel in Europe.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Eurasian Whimbrel ssp. variegatus occurs in the region, characterised by a small oblong of barred-white confined to the lower back. Population from NC Siberia rogachevae somewhat intermediate is recognised by some authorities e.g IOC also occurs.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/1...42.938646471.1606151527-1719423522.1606027391

Grahame

 

[Nutcracker]

.... I guess that would be the same as raising the issue for an ID request of a Whimbrel in Europe.

Yes, indeed! It is at least in part something I'd like to know for myself, if there is any way of detecting a vagrant Hudsonian in Europe or Asia (or vagrant Eurasian in the Americas!) with a bird not in flight. If there isn't, it's going to make detecting them very difficult: I don't want to have to go and flush every whimbrel I ever see!

 

[bhutjoe]

Thank you all for your comments. Much appreciated. Once I am back in Canada I will have to pay a bit more attention to whimbrels there. Thank you for the link Grahame, much appreciated.
thanks again
steve