13 replies to this topic

[paulkienitz]

I took these for godwits or something, then went "hey wait a minute..."



Also... this is a tree swallow, right?

[baldy]

Yes on Dowitchers.

[paulkienitz]

...so are they long or short?

[ColoTomo]

Leaning to Long-billed on the dowitcher, based on scapular pattern, apparent straighter bill and dip in the neck (the 'hunched' look).. but not sure on this transition plumage. Where was this photo taken?
Tree Swallow is correct

[ginspin16]

great tree swallow picture!

[paulkienitz]

American Canyon, CA, on the delta of the Napa river.

Yeah, the transitional plumage makes my guidebook useless for long vs short. But apparently long-billed is the default usual kind one is supposed to see here?

I'd like to get it definitely pinned down because it's a photo lifer.

[ColoTomo]

More photos wouldn't hurt (different angles). Liam is pretty good with dowitchers if my recollection serves correctly.

[Desertthorn]

I had a discussion on this board the other day about Dowicthers and one of the Whatbird sages here suggested that their call is the most destinctive. When I went to listen to their calls on my IBird, I knew right away which one I had. Its amazing how different their song is.

[paulkienitz]

I didn't hear either of those calls.

[NatureLady]

Great pic of Tree Swallow! I have a tough time getting a good picture of sitting swallows!

[paulkienitz]

...okay. Seriously. Long billed or short billed?

[JimBob]

They look like Long-billed Dowitchers to me.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Another vote for LB. They're bills look relatively long and straight and they have the appearance of having swallow a grapefruit.

[paulkienitz]

So there's a general consensus for long-billed. I guess I'm the only one who still suspects they may be short-billed, because all I have to go on is Sibley, and the way he paints the curve of the back, these guys look closer to flat-backed than hunch-backed.

Of course, it depends which of the six birds you look at. The left hand one in the first picture is the flattest, I guess, and the two in the last picture don't look very flat at all.