Two wader ID questions (2 Viewers)

[JayFeatherPL]

Hi!
I've got two birding questions about waders (shorebirds). I hope you can help me Thanks for all the answers in advance!

1.Do you think that ruff is easily identifeable by its small head, big body, long neck and long legs? Are these good features to ID the Ruff?

2.Can you separate tertials from primaries in waders, shorebirds? In my opinion in waders with primary projection (Tringa) the primaries are only a little bit longer than tertials and tertials fade into the primaries (there's no steep slope like in small passerines). I think that in waders, shorebirds its hard to judge which feathers are primaries and which are tertials. Is that true? Am I right?

I really appreciate any help!
Cheers!

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

The best feature for the Ruff is the primary projections, so short than they can be tiny or even nil. I compare here with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, last picture of the page.

 

[JayFeatherPL]

The best feature for the Ruff is the primary projections, so short than they can be tiny or even nil. I compare here with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, last picture of the page.

That's my 2nd question About tertials and primaries in waders. In my opinion you can't separate them in waders, but I'd like to know if my thinking is right.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

That's my 4th question About tertials and primaries in waders. In my opinion you can't separate them in waders, but I'd like to know if my thinking is right.

You are very wrong, primary projection is very easy and one of the most helpful features of all ; for bird in general and for waders too. This is why I insist on it. I think, with wing bars, it is the first feature to teach to any beginner in birding.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

very good explanation, thanks Valéry! (although easy is relative, for me its sometimes not)

Reading the question, I think yes, Ruffs have a quite striking body-shape/jizz, that can be obvious and then can be helpful for ID or picking Ruff out of a mixed flock.

Regarding question 4, please note, that the primaries are unpatterned blackish, while the tertials have some pattern or paler edges in the majority of wader species.

Examples: 1cy Turnstone, (Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 08.09.2018)
Compare blackish primaries (Short pp) with slightly, but clearly browner tertials with a narrow margin

https://flic.kr/p/28edvNL

https://flic.kr/p/MeafYP

1cy Little Ringed Plover with 1 cy Curlew Sandpiper Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 01.09.2018)
Tertials are far too pale brown for even the most worn/faded primaries (yes, in 95% true)

https://flic.kr/p/2adEp45

Reeves with a Wood Sandpiper (Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 08.09.2018)
the Tertials have pale edges, therefore no primaries (and yes, the Primaries are short enhancing the stubby end of a Ruff

https://flic.kr/p/2aZbvX8

I hope this is helpful

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Hello,

very good explanation, thanks Valéry! (although easy is relative, for me its sometimes not)

Reading the question, I think yes, Ruffs have a quite striking body-shape/jizz, that can be obvious and then can be helpful for ID or picking Ruff out of a mixed flock.

Regarding question 4, please note, that the primaries are unpatterned blackish, while the tertials have some pattern or paler edges in the majority of wader species.

Examples: 1cy Turnstone, (Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 08.09.2018)
Compare blackish primaries (Short pp) with slightly, but clearly browner tertials with a narrow margin

https://flic.kr/p/28edvNL

https://flic.kr/p/MeafYP

1cy Little Ringed Plover with 1 cy Curlew Sandpiper Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 01.09.2018)
Tertials are far too pale brown for even the most worn/faded primaries (yes, in 95% true)

Reeves with a Wood Sandpiper (Holzendorfer Seebruch, NE-Germany, 08.09.2018)
the Tertials have pale edges, therefore no primaries (and yes, the Primaries are short enhancing the stubby end of a Ruff

https://flic.kr/p/2aZbvX8

I hope this is helpful

Thanks for explaining how to separate tertials from primaries! Very helpful answer!

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Thanks for explaining how to separate tertials from primaries! Very helpful answer!

it was shown on the photos I shared earlier, with lines to point the differences. Didn't you look at it ?

 

[JayFeatherPL]

Thanks for all the answers!