Calidris
Here is an invitation to play an interactive game called 'name that Calidris sandpiper'. This was from a nice wetland in Henry County on Tuesday afternoon. Presumably, all the pipers should in breeding plumage or are juveniles, but some certainly look like adult non-breeding plumage individuals. All of these were the small Calidris, and seemed smaller than Spotted Sandpipers that were present. Any thoughts?
After consideration and consultation, it appears that the photos below show several Least Sandpipers, with the exception of the two photos in the middle of a much paler Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Potential Semipalmated Sandpipers? (above and below)
7 comments:
Many shorebirds migrate on their way to the breeding grounds. So, here in Indiana we get a variety of plumages in the spring. Some individuals may be further along with molt than others. I believe there are two species of shorebirds depicted in the photos - Least Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper. All of the birds are Least except for the Semipalmated that is pictured in two photos. It is paler than the Least with a thicker, shorter bill. One key to ID is leg color. Least is the only peep with yellow legs. That can be seen in many of the photos.
I'm going to agree with Don, except I wonder if the last three pictures show a Pectoral. The chest pattern has a pretty abrupt border. Also, the posture seems tall and the legs seem long. Leasts are very "crouchy," which is especially evident in the first two pictures. Finally, this bird has only a very limited amount of rufous in the wings - I would expect most leasts to be pretty rufous about now, although Don has a good point about plumage variation at this time of year.
One thing that doesn't seem Pectoral about this bird is that there isn't even a hint of bicolor in the bill. The bill does seem pretty "Leasty" to me. However, if I had to put my money down, it would be on a Pec.
Of course, if there were something for a size comparison, the ID would be easy. Ben, was this bird the same size as the others, or was it larger? You're leaving us all in suspense!
Okay, I'm changing my mind about the Pec ID now, especially after studying the third picture close-up. The breast streaking is not as dense as usual in a Pec, and doesn't end as abruptly as I thought.
Also, the bird seems to be excited by something - in its first picture it is looking up. I'm sure that's why its not in "typical" Least Sandpiper pose. I should know better than to use posture to ID a photo.
So if I'm allowed to take my money back, I'll re-place it in the Least square. This is why I don't gamble much...
The bird in the last three photos was larger than the other birds. I like your point, Kirk, about those pictures representing Pectorals. It wasn't crouchy, although the bill does look down curved slightly. I had not mentally prepared myself for shorebirds yet this spring. I did not pay good attention to the rumps, postures, bills, and legs. I also did not have my binoculars with me, which was very limiting. I may get other opportunities to go out there, since it is a mitigation wetland. I noticed that Sibley portrayed the Least as the only small Calidris with yellow legs, but I didn't know if that was accurate or not. That does make it seem like the two pictures (P1070511 and P1070519) might be Semis.
I'll let you take your money back, Kirk. That bird does seem to have yellow legs.
Pecs have yellow legs!
Sorry, I was thinking about the smaller peeps when I made the yellow legs comment.
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