Shorebird ID Help Needed

[Andrew Kelley]

I photographed this bird on July 3 at a marsh near Greeley, Colorado. To my admittedly untrained eye, it looks like a Dowitcher, but the timing seems wrong (according to my bird book, these are present in CO only during migration) and the bill looks a bit short. Thanks in advance for your help identifying this bird.

http://andrewkelley.net/photos/ASK_100703_1007058-Edit.jpg

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Andrew, you've got yourself a beautiful Wilson's Phalarope. Long thin bill, bold face markings, and overall colouration (of which, along with the yellowish legs likely suggests a juvenile), and the location is right for you. Somebody can correct me on the age if I'm wrong...

[Andrew Kelley]

Thanks, Dan. There were many adult Wilson's Phalaropes (and some very small chicks) at the same location. This guy looked so different that it threw me off.

[John Chardine]

Agree. Nice call Daniel.