Shorebird, Manitoba, Canada, August (1 Viewer)

[khustochka]

Unexpectedly confused by this shorebird (on the left) photographed around Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on August 2, 2024.

It looks much bigger than the Least Sandpiper on the right, so Semipalmated is excluded.

It does not look like Baird's to me, the supercillum is too prominent. So White-rumped Sandpiper remains as a provisionary identification, but I do not see any other traits like reddish bill base or streaked flanks.

Help is appreciated!

P.S. I think I am ready to be convinced this is a Baird's Sandpiper.

 

[Butty]

I'm fairly with you: suggestion of the odd lore pattern, bill right, longish tail (I think).
Ed. Oops. I meant: 'longish wings (I think).'

 

[qwerty5]

Can we be sure the size difference isn't a weird illusion? Otherwise everything looks fine for Semipalmated to me.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

(cant comment on the birds, but)

this has been posted on BF before, but Peter Grants classic paper came into my mind again

https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdf-store/V76_N08_P327_334_A095.pdf

 

[jogresh]

Semi-P is my thinking too. 🤔

 

[THE_FERN]

Can we be sure the size difference isn't a weird illusion? Otherwise everything looks fine for Semipalmated to me.

Agree. The tail is longer than the wings which is wrong for either Baird's or white-rumped.

 

[Butty]

The tail is longer than the wings

...in your opinion. I disagree.

 

[khustochka]

Thanks everyone for the discussion! I know size impression can be misleading.

Looking at photographs, I think it looks pretty similar to this photo of a Semipalmated Sandpiper:

ML622156457 - Semipalmated Sandpiper - Macaulay Library

Macaulay Library ML622156457; © Christopher Lindsey; Benton, Washington, United States

macaulaylibrary.org

 

[Mike Earp]

P.S. I think I am ready to be convinced this is a Baird's Sandpiper.

What stops it being a Baird's?

 

[NickBrown]

What stops it being a Baird's?

It doesn't quite seem long winged enough, the supercilium seems a bit too prominent and the bill is a bit too long. Overall Semipalmated fits these characteristics better although as mentioned above the size is confusing.

 

[jmepler]

Semipalmated Sandpiper for me. Certainly not long-winged enough for Baird's. I think that the apparent size difference is due to the posture of the birds.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

It is a Semipalmated Sandpiper indeed, the shape is wrong for a Baird's, especially the primary projection that is much longer in Baird's.