Interesting bird posted on birds of nz fb page

[harryhatman]

Hi all, this bird was posted sunday night as being seen at shoal bay, on charles st, hauraki in north Auckland. I have asked for more details but interested to know ur thoughts based on this one photo.

Ive contacted the guy for more info and waiting to hear back

[Adam C]

Instant first thought is Bairds (without consulting guides re finer details) but yes interesting looking bird!

[Michael Szabo]

The long tail, white spot just above the base of the bill, black legs, supercilium, bill length/shape, and overall markings all suggest Baird's Sandpiper to me too.

The NZ Birds Online page has good photos for comparison: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/bairds-sandpiper

[andrewcrossland]

Consider also white-rumped?
Perhaps change the heading so as to alert locals to go have a look for it. Hope it’s not another American birder putting a pic in the wrong location again though….

[tony crocker]

The bill is a bit long and the bird somewhat attenuated. So Cox's? Size would help.

[phil hammond]

Thanks for the alert Harry. The length and curvature of the bill and the strength of the eye ring don't look exactly right for Baird's me, but I think it looks more like Baird's than anything else except possible a hybrid. I'm on my way, but with the Waimata emptying for low tide at 11am, we might have to go back this afternoon

[Michael Szabo]

I've sought comments from some experienced birders via email and Facebook. Nikolas Haas says he thinks Baird's rather than WRS. A very experienced US birding friend also says Baird's rather than WRS and notes: "The white surrounding the eye is a bit of a surprise but, as Crossley's Guide says, "Eye often stands out on a bland face". Also "slightly downcurved bill is all black with narrower base and finer tip" (than WRS). And, "adult spring migrant upperparts have mostly gray nonbr feathers with black-centered breeding scapulars".

The legs are black rather than yellow which is contra Sharp-tailed or Cox's.

Hopefully the bird is seen and photographed again but better. If so, flight shots showing the tail/rump and underwings also would be useful and audio of the call.

Oscar Thomas has also posted this useful photo comparison of the NZ bird with a Baird's photo taken by UK birding expert Dominic Mitchell which is posted as part of an eBird checklist: https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=60CF8CDB

[gmckinlay]

Harry,
If you hear back from the observer details like time (tide) and exactly where they saw the bird can you let me know?
I am nearby and could get out to look today.
Glenn

[Brent Stephenson]

I too have sought thoughts from US friends. They passed it on to Michael O'Brien (The Shorebird Guide). Consensus was Baird's...

There are folks currently out there looking. But all of this rides on when the photo was taken...

Cheers,

[Michael Szabo]

Harry Boorman was out looking for it this afternoon but no sighting as yet.