Sandpiper ID

[Lyle Gruby]

Hi All,

Please help with this ID. First time shooting a sandpiper of any sort, living in Memphis I hardly ever see one. Please help, thanks

[John Chardine]

Hi Lyle- Congratulations on seeing a shorebird in Memphis!

The overall look of this bird indicates a Tringa sandpiper. That's the genus. The legs have a yellow-green tinge. The Tringa shorebirds, known as the "shanks" in the UK often have colourful legs. The well-defined spots on the back and wings of this bird, the dull-yellow leg colour, and the relatively petit look suggest to me a Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria. The upper breast seems darker than normal though, and I am interested (as always) in other's opinions.

[Lyle Gruby]

Thanks John. That appears right to me. There are so many, for us initiated the subtle differences are tough to discern.

[Paul Guris]

I'd go with Solitary Sandpiper as well. The very dark plumage (which makes the white spots really jump out), shortish legs, and white eye marks knock out the yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, etc. To flip flop, the too long legs aren't right for Spotted. Ditto for the dark plumage and white spotting.