Re: Shorebird Quiz!
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:20 pm
Great stuff people,
Firstly to the grayish bird in the lower right with prominent white brow-- this bird is marginally smaller than the numerous Great Knots around it and has a distinctly shorter bill (apparent even at this awkward angle). The leg colour appears greenish. It is thus a bit too bulky for Curlew Sand, along with its bill proportions and coloured legs--Curlew Sand has black legs), leaving only the knots, sand-plovers, and perhaps tattlers. The bill appears too short for tattler (and is slightly curved), and the legs are much duller than you'd expect for most tattlers. The bill and overall gerth also eliminates sand-plovers, leaving us with the two knots. I have previously noted the size differences with the other Greats, and since the grey mantle is more washed out (less distinctly marked), this appears to be a Red Knot--likely a juvenile based on the leg colour. We are used to seeing more flank marking but I think it's just a plainer bird than average with the resolution of the photo cutting down further on the visible markings.
Secondly the tricky plover in front of the Pacific Golden. Compared to the very grey knots and godwits nearby, this bird is clearly a warm sandy-brown, with blonde brow and facial pattern. While some juv sand-plovers can have similar tones, few if any would be this golden overall with no traces of pale edging to the mantle feathers. The smooth sandy-browness is then a give away for Oriental--which is indeed more numerous on inland plains, however it's fairly normal for a handful to feed on the mudflats and roost on beaches like this in Broome (consider the Ohiwa bird's prefered foraging grounds). I believe there were close to 20 Oriental Plovers in the entire flock at this location. Now... can Caspian Plover be eliminated from this photo? Probably not... but... rule of averages.
Lastly, isn't that a Dowitcher!? I wish, when I saw that bird from a distance I thought I had a lifer in the bag, but as I got closer, I noted the pinkish bill-base, dropping bill tip, and smooth ashy wash to the flanks and mantle. An Asian Dowitcher in basic plumage should be more grey-and-white like the Barwits, perhaps with even more distinct pale facial/brow markings, whitish flanks (with knot-like chevrons) and a straight all black bill. Another tip I have heard is that most Asian Dowies hold their bills at a 45 degree angle (pointed down) when roosting, almost as if the bill is too heavy to keep up. Godwits do this ocassionally as well of course but something to consider.... so that means this bird has to be a small (probable male) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. ***For those inexperienced with picking out Black-tailed Godwits from Bar-tails, take a look at this photo now that you know the bird circled in green is a Blackwit. Try and find the other 5 Blackwits hidden in the flock. Look for that clean sooty patterning as opposed to the paler streaky Bar-wits.
Okay awesome--I hope we all learned a bit. Happy to be corrected on any of these points, or for other species to pop out. Later tonight I'll post another photo with a different mix to see what else was out there that day!!! (It was 42 degrees and 90% humidity by the way... still totally worth it!)
Russ C
Firstly to the grayish bird in the lower right with prominent white brow-- this bird is marginally smaller than the numerous Great Knots around it and has a distinctly shorter bill (apparent even at this awkward angle). The leg colour appears greenish. It is thus a bit too bulky for Curlew Sand, along with its bill proportions and coloured legs--Curlew Sand has black legs), leaving only the knots, sand-plovers, and perhaps tattlers. The bill appears too short for tattler (and is slightly curved), and the legs are much duller than you'd expect for most tattlers. The bill and overall gerth also eliminates sand-plovers, leaving us with the two knots. I have previously noted the size differences with the other Greats, and since the grey mantle is more washed out (less distinctly marked), this appears to be a Red Knot--likely a juvenile based on the leg colour. We are used to seeing more flank marking but I think it's just a plainer bird than average with the resolution of the photo cutting down further on the visible markings.
Secondly the tricky plover in front of the Pacific Golden. Compared to the very grey knots and godwits nearby, this bird is clearly a warm sandy-brown, with blonde brow and facial pattern. While some juv sand-plovers can have similar tones, few if any would be this golden overall with no traces of pale edging to the mantle feathers. The smooth sandy-browness is then a give away for Oriental--which is indeed more numerous on inland plains, however it's fairly normal for a handful to feed on the mudflats and roost on beaches like this in Broome (consider the Ohiwa bird's prefered foraging grounds). I believe there were close to 20 Oriental Plovers in the entire flock at this location. Now... can Caspian Plover be eliminated from this photo? Probably not... but... rule of averages.
Lastly, isn't that a Dowitcher!? I wish, when I saw that bird from a distance I thought I had a lifer in the bag, but as I got closer, I noted the pinkish bill-base, dropping bill tip, and smooth ashy wash to the flanks and mantle. An Asian Dowitcher in basic plumage should be more grey-and-white like the Barwits, perhaps with even more distinct pale facial/brow markings, whitish flanks (with knot-like chevrons) and a straight all black bill. Another tip I have heard is that most Asian Dowies hold their bills at a 45 degree angle (pointed down) when roosting, almost as if the bill is too heavy to keep up. Godwits do this ocassionally as well of course but something to consider.... so that means this bird has to be a small (probable male) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. ***For those inexperienced with picking out Black-tailed Godwits from Bar-tails, take a look at this photo now that you know the bird circled in green is a Blackwit. Try and find the other 5 Blackwits hidden in the flock. Look for that clean sooty patterning as opposed to the paler streaky Bar-wits.
Okay awesome--I hope we all learned a bit. Happy to be corrected on any of these points, or for other species to pop out. Later tonight I'll post another photo with a different mix to see what else was out there that day!!! (It was 42 degrees and 90% humidity by the way... still totally worth it!)
Russ C