7 replies to this topic

[illin]

Saw this bird today. I am not good with my Dowitchers. Any idea which one I have here? Bonus to anyone who can name the other two in this pic.


shorebirds by Laramore, on Flickr

[blackburnian]

long billed dowicther, greater yellowlegs, stilt sandpiper?
probably all are wrong

[Liam]

I agree with Stilt Sandpiper, but size (vs. Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper) makes the other a Lesser Yellowlegs.

I'm inclined towards Long-billed based on the belly. Also, I believe Long-billed is more likely in Illinois.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Stilt Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs for me, too. I would lean towards Long-billed as well, based on the reasons stated above, but its hard to be sure on these guys.

[psweet]

Long-billed are definitely not the more common Dowitchers in Illinois -- they move mostly farther west. We get many more of the hendersoni Short-billed.

[illin]

Here is another pic which may help with IDing the Dowitcher.


Dowitcher Sp. by Laramore, on Flickr

I also saw this Stilt Sandpiper that had me somewhat confused til I got a better look at it. What is the deal with the white on it's rump? Just some leucism? The Dowitcher is in this pic too btw.


Shorebirds by Laramore, on Flickr

And sorry I forgot to add that these birds were seen in Missouri at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. It is right across the river from Illinois though.

[illin]

Looking at the books, I think I figured it out. It appears that the scaps have a broad golden edging to them and the clean buff color on the breast leads me to Juv. Short-billed Dowitcher.

Also looking at the book it appears that Stilt Sandpiper does indeed have a white rump. I have never noticed that before and I have seen many.

[MarkBird]

I opine Short-billed. You can see the outer 1/3 of the bill droop in the first picture, the bill has some taper to it, and the back doesn't have the dramatically humpy look (where the lower back looks really indented).