BirdingNZ.net

Hello young birders of the world,

Today, I must announce, I have failed you. I have not got a call for you all, as I said I would.

Instead I have found something even BETTER. Ian Southey has kindly donated me with some fantastic pictures for you to identify. To go with these I have made up a story to help with identification. This is not the real date, location and time of the observation.

Extract from Ian's Notebook

April 9th, 2001 15:42 High tide at Miranda
Small dotterel. Seen with a flock Wrybill. Fed with Wrybill. Very active, and approachable. So far unidentified.

Young Falagalagullu (Banded Dotterel)

Banded Dotterel - non-breeding plumage. Main ID features for me are the bill shape, the short, thin shape and the slatey grey colour - the remains of the bands on the shoulders (I think) and the jizz of course. I would list more buuut I'm very tired.

I want to say Mongolian dotterel but it isn't dark enough and has short legs. I want to say Banded dotterel but it seems too grey. Oh well, I'll go with bandy. NZBirdsOnline has a distinct lack of non-breeding bandy photos!

You guys are too good! I've decided to go evil, and the next bird will be the dreaded first Tern species. I would like to announce this is the beautiful Banded Dotterel. Good to see some elimination from other species going on there!!