Shorebird Quiz!

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
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Michael
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Michael » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:39 pm

1. Pacific Golden Plover
2. Gull-Billed Tern
3. Bar-Tailed Godwit
4. Black-Tailed Godwit
5. Eastern Curlew
6. Greater Sandplover
7. Great Knot
8. Asiatic Dowitcher

AND (added after): a relatively smooth-backed knot just below and slightly to the left of centre which could be a lesser but I'm nowhere near confident enough to tell. Oscar and I have both noted its differences. We also agree on the species count :D
Latest Lifer: Australian Gull-Billed Tern @ Manawatu Estuary
gmckinlay
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby gmckinlay » Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:39 pm

Hmmm, you have got me on the dowitcher - might explain why I have never been able to find one.
But what should we do with the greater sandplover (s?)?
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RussCannings
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby RussCannings » Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:22 am

Great to see the keen participation with this, and everyone has been pretty accurate with their answers with just a few small exceptions. I think the variety of responses demonstrate how difficult this group is, as well as the trickiness of interpreting photos without seeing the birds in the flesh.

So---the correct combination has still not been put forward. As far as I can tell--there is NO dowitcher or sand-plover in this photo (I would be gutted too as I failed to come up with a dowitcher on the trip full stop, as they seem to disappear in the lead up to the wet season).

That leaves:

1. Far Easter Curlew
2. Gull-billed Tern
3. Great Knot
4. Red Knot
5. Bar-tailed Godwit
6. Black-tailed Godwit
7. Pacific Golden Plover
8. ________________?

Once the correct ID is discovered I'll post an answer key pointing out the trickier birds.
Colin Miskelly
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:28 am

Curlew sandpiper at lower right?

Cheers
Colin
gmckinlay
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby gmckinlay » Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:45 am

Greater sandplover head immediately in front of the pacific golden.
Davidthomas
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Davidthomas » Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:02 am

Mr McKinlay is correct on the bird but incorrect on the id
Colin Miskelly
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:15 am

Oriental plover - but still curious about that calidrid at lower right!
C
gmckinlay
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby gmckinlay » Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:42 pm

Oriental plover did not occur to me as a possibilty.
Would they be on the coast?
Any pointers on what in the photo can separate greater sand vs oriental?
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Michael
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Michael » Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:03 pm

I would've thought they eyestripe was too thick for an Oriental Plover on that bird. I saw the bird Colin is meaning but felt it was too big.

Also, is this bird not a dowitcher?
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Colin Miskelly
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Re: Shorebird Quiz!

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:05 pm

Hi Glenn
It is a guessing game from an image with much of the bird obscured (e.g. the long yellow legs!), but I would expect more white on the cheeks of a sand-plover of either species.
Cheers
Colin

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