Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: A Sandpiper?

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Crest Hill, Illinois
    Posts
    111
    Threads
    72
    Thank You Posts

    Default A Sandpiper?

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I shot this bird at low tide on the exposed bar that leads to Bar Island in Bar Harbor, Me. It was in a flock of about 15 little birds like it along with Semipalmated Plovers. Could this be a juvenile Black-bellied Plover or is it some kind of sandpiper?

    NikonD7000
    Nikon70-300 4.5-5.6G VR
    1/1250sec at f/8 and 300mm
    ISO400
    Handheld

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    793
    Threads
    57
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Take a look in your bird guide at Juvie Sanderling.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    1,997
    Threads
    86
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    When you are done looking at Sanderling.... :) Take a look at semipalmated sandpiper in worn adult plumage :).... just sayin :)

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Green Lane, PA
    Posts
    744
    Threads
    42
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I'm with Shawn on this one.

    A quick way to determine age for shorebirds at this time of year is to look at the state of the plumage. Juvenile birds molted in just a month or so ago, so they have neat, clean feathers and often show pale feather edges. Adults molted in back in May, and the additional time shows as wear on their feathers. If you look at your bird, you can see that a lot of feathers look ragged and chewed, denoting an adult at this time of year.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Crest Hill, Illinois
    Posts
    111
    Threads
    72
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Paul,

    Thanks for the plumage information. Then you conclude that it is a Semipalmated Sandpiper?

    Tom

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Green Lane, PA
    Posts
    744
    Threads
    42
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes, it looks perfect for Semipalmated. Plain plumage with little or no rusty/rufous coloration, dark spots on the wing covert feathers, pale eye line, shortish and thick bill with a heavy tip, and the darkish legs all fit well. I'd expect an adult Sanderling at this time of year to show older, rusty breeding plumage feathers especially in the coverts, have a plainer face, and to appear "chubbier" though shape can be tough to determine accurately in one image.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics