ID help

[P-A. Fortin]

I posted an image in ETL for which I also asked for ID help, without much success. So I'm giving it a second try here.

Here's the original image: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...itcher-%28-%29

I'm leaning toward Long-billed dowitcher, but since this is quite a tricky one to tell from the short-billed, I want to hear your opinion!

Here is another view of the same bird, showing its yellowish legs. Note that this new image was not processed (other than sharpening). Which makes me realize that I may have pushed a tad too hard on the Nik Tonal Contrast on the image posted in ETL...

I have a few other images of the bird if needed.


Thanks!

[Declan Troy]

Hi P-A.

I too go for Long-billed Dowitcher. Your other image is more useful in that a good character for ID thee guys is the pattern on the tertials which shows up better on the other shot. On Long-bills the tertials have a narrow rusty margin, on short-bills the teriials area also barred. Long-bills also migrate later than short-bills so the October date you give (thank you for including date-location) is consistent with this.

[P-A. Fortin]

Thanks Declan. I really love these kind of discussions and infos!

I found another image of the same bird with a better view from the side. I made a significant crop to make sure the rusty margin you mention would show up well.

It would be nice if someone had a similar image of a short-billed and posted it here for comparison purposes.

[Jim Buescher]

OK P-A, here's a Short-billed Dowitcher in the same pose for comparison:

[Declan Troy]

Here ya go.

There have been enough web design changes at multiple sites that I was having trouble linking to an image. Here (I hope) is a shot at it and a link to a somewhat larger version. Note this is caurinus, not the subspecies you are apt to see but the tertial pattern should be similar.

Declan





http://www.flickr.com/photos/troyecol/10751102274/

[P-A. Fortin]

Thanks to both of you. Very instructive.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Excellent comparisons and discussion.