8 replies to this topic

[jblakelock]

From a recent birding outing, with fellow Whatbirder Snick, to Shoreline Park in Mountain View, CA. We saw a lot of Dowitchers and I've never been able to tell the difference. Snick got some nice photos so I've been using the following article to try to definitely ID at least one Long-billed and one Short-billed (is this a fool's errand?).

Here's the link to the article. I think it has been posted on Whatbird before.

http://www.surfbirds.com/ID%20Articles/dowitchers1005/dowitchers.html

I'm thinking Long-billed. Nice straight longish bill with straight supercilium and low set eye. Although you can't see the flanks of the main bird the birds around show nice barring on their flanks. Also, the bird in the forefront show a thicker black stripe on the tail.


Long-billed by JJB1998, on Flickr

Now for a Short-billed. I'm looking at the closest bird. It appears to have an arched supercilium with a higher set eye, and extensive whitish on the chin. Also, doesn't seem to have barring on the flank and a thicker white striping on the tail.



Short-billed 2 by JJB1998, on Flickr


We have more pictures if needed. Thanks.

[Muskokan in Mexico]

I have difficulty with these too, so thanks for the reference. keep in mind the difference in camera angle though as to whether the supercilium is arched or straight.

[MarkBird]

I believe that the top picture is a Short-billed, primarily because of the taper in the bill. Long-billeds show almost no taper from head to tip.

Not sure on the second, but it's humpy enough to consider Long-billed if you have good bill pictures to add.

[jblakelock]

Thanks for the input so far. We do have a couple more pictures of the 2nd Dowitcher, but the bill is hidden in those as well. Any other thoughts?

[Parula]

these are long billed note when they bend over they have a big hump on there back also note the bill is 3 times their head size

[Indybirder]

I agree with Long-billed, at least the birds that are bending over.

[jblakelock]

Thanks for the input. The above article mentions body shape and specifically the Long-billed hump, but cations against using it as a sole mark for ID. So the second picture shows a Dowitcher with a good sized hump, but with markings that seem to be more in-line with Short-billed. Unfortunately we don't have a shot of the full bill for this one. Anybody else have some input on either picture?

[TheBillyPilgrim]

My two cents: I don't see enough on any of these birds to pin down an ID. The bottom ones do look Long-billedish based on the hump but I would definitely want a supporting mark. Transitional/basic plumage dowitchers are really tough!

[jblakelock]

Thanks Billy, they are tough. I feel like I'm going in circles.