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Need help with a couple of birds

Last post 07-04-2009, 8:56 PM by thehugwrangler. 5 replies.
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  •  07-04-2009, 10:30 AM 104397

    Need help with a couple of birds

    These were taken yesterday at Boliver Flats, Texas.  I'm not sure on my id's.

     I think this one is a willet, but not sure.

     

    This one is giving me more trouble.  My first thought was a whimbrel, but my bird book says they only winter here and this was taken yesterday.  I thought curlew, but I don't think the bill is long enough and again, my book shows they winter here.  So I am really not sure on this one.  Both pictures are the same bird.

     

  •  07-04-2009, 10:35 AM 104398 in reply to 104397

    Re: Need help with a couple of birds

    You are correct on both - a Willet and a Whimbrel.
  •  07-04-2009, 11:19 AM 104417 in reply to 104398

    Re: Need help with a couple of birds

    Thanks!! Smile
  •  07-04-2009, 12:23 PM 104430 in reply to 104417

    Re: Need help with a couple of birds

    Actually, I think the orangey wings and overall buffier tones would make the second bird a long-billed curlew rather than a whimbrel, plus the bill looks too long for whimbrel.
  •  07-04-2009, 7:42 PM 104485 in reply to 104430

    Re: Need help with a couple of birds

    PoorMatty:
    Actually, I think the orangey wings and overall buffier tones would make the second bird a long-billed curlew rather than a whimbrel, plus the bill looks too long for whimbrel.

    Could very well be.  I thought of that too, but the bill is quite a bit short for a Long-billed Curlew, whose bill should be about four times as long as the head width. In this bird it's only about 2.5 times. The bill is also a bit long for a Whimbrel, in which the bill length is about twice the head width. The coloring as Matty has pointed out does better match the curlew, and the bird actually would be perfect for a juvenile except it's out of range and too early in the season. Here's a Long-billed Curlew showing the very long bill:


  •  07-04-2009, 8:56 PM 104491 in reply to 104397

    Re: Need help with a couple of birds

    Yeah, I was thinking Long-billed Curlew on that one too.
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