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Thread: ID Needed

  1. #1
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    Default ID Needed

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    This bird was photographed on 9/20/09 on Plum Island in Massachusetts.
    Unfortunately, I could not maneuver for a better light angle and never saw the bird again.
    I keep thinking it's a Western Sandpiper but they are not that common here so wanted to confirm.

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    Hi Mike,

    Nice photo by the way.Somewhat of a difficult angle,but I think we have enough for identification here. Thanks for posting the date,it's a useful clue to assist with this birds identification. The bird is an immature Dunlin. The bill appears perhaps slightly on the short side,but I think the angle of the photo has a lot to do with it.

    Notice also the rufous cap- Westerns are much grayer this time of year.As well there is a hint of a whitish supercilium,but overall the impression is just that pale blank faced look common to Dunlin.

    Also notice the streaking down the birds flanks.This would not be common to juv Western Sandpiper and this bird looks all wrong for an adult Western in late September,who are already well into their moult in winter(basic) plumage. The pale wing covert panel below the rufous scapulars look perfect for a 1st year Dunlin- grey overall,with a darked shaft streak- 1st year Western Sandpiper should show completely grey wing coverts with an internal anchor markings and I assume would lack the buffy edges to the wing coverts that this birds shows( this is a common feature in young Dunlins).

    Again the bill does look somewhat short for Dunlin and I wonder of this could possibly be one of the shorter billed races, or again it could just be the angle the photo was taken.

    Dave Brown

  3. #3
    Shawn P. Carey
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    Yes bill size and shape is good match for Dunlin. Plus this is a bird that we have in very large numbers in Massachusetts starting in late September through the entire winter.

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    Good work by Shawn and especially by Dan. This bird fooled me as my initial reaction was juvenile Western but the bright chestnut crown and the flank and belly spotting rule that out in a hurry. And young Westerns would show lots of molt to first winter plumage by OCT. The bill is likely not fully developed. Do note that in the shadows we can see two molted scapular feathers, the beginning of molt to 1st winter.
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