Shorebird ID confirmation: least sandpiper?

[P-A. Fortin]

This image was taken during my first year of bird photography. Back then, I could barely tell a sandpiper from an egret... On top of that, this image was taken in the Los Angeles area (december) while I live in the eastern part of Canada. Perfect scenario for a failed identification.

So back then, I tagged this one as a least sandpiper. But today I was browsing my images and it caught my attention. I would still consider it to be a least sandpiper, based on the shape, the yellowish legs and the slightly curved bill. But there is something different when I compare it to my other least images. This one has a significant dark band on the chest, and it seems to lack the rufous colors of every other least I've seen so far near home.

Am I missing something? Or is there such differences between western and eastern individuals?

160991

[Paul Guris]

This is a basic plumage adult Least Sandpiper. Adults in the spring can appear much warmer and juveniles in the fall can be downright orangey, especially early in the season like August.

[P-A. Fortin]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.