Need help with ID, please - what kind of sandpiper?

[Troy Lim]

I could not make of the exact ID of this bird, help please?
Thank you.

Camera Nikon D3S
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 550 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV
Flash No Flash

[Raymond Barlow]

I am brutal on shorebird ID's, but a really sweet shot bro, I bet that D3s is a dream to shoot with!

[Troy Lim]

I am brutal on shorebird ID's, but a really sweet shot bro, I bet that D3s is a dream to shoot with!

Thanks Ray. Yeah, you would love that machine. ;) Just saw your new shot on facebook. Makes me want to keep my 200-400mm.

[Troy Lim]

It is a Willet I think...

[John Hawkins]

I believe you are right. A Willet.

[Arthur Morris]

It is a Willet. What month?

[Troy Lim]

It is a Willet. What month?

Arthie, I shot this in July, along with all the skimmers.

[John Chardine]

Can we say why it's a Willet- educational value and all that.

[Arthur Morris]

Tall. Gray legs. Medium length stout bill. Barring shows it to be an adult. Incoming gray scapulars and a few coverts show that it is molting. Anything to add John?

[John Chardine]

Thanks Artie. That covers it I think. And what the image does not show is relatively large size and those beautiful white stripes in the wings produced by the primary bases and secondaries. The Willet is a bit of a "weirdo", being in the past classified in a mono-specific genus, and breeding much farther south than many shorebirds. Fairly recently the Willet has been grouped with the "shanks" shorebirds in the genus Tringa based on genetic evidence.

[Wayne Richardson]

Can we say why it's a Willet- educational value and all that.

This bird can also be racially ID'd as a Western, by the blue bill base (pinkish in Eastern) & rather delicate markings. The fact it is in Florida in July & the partial summer plumage may indicate a 1st year bird, rather than an early returning adult.

Another thing that has always struck me about a Willet, is that it looks remarkably like a Redshank on steroids!:D Even the chicks look quite alike. For those unfamiliar with the Old Word Tringa sandpiper, they share a similar shape, general dull colouration & have a striking black & white wing pattern. The Redshank is quite a bit smaller & the blue legs/bill of a Willet are red on the other species. So perhaps the affinities to the 'shanks & 'legs' is not quite so surprising. ;)

Cheers: Wayne

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Wayne, Where have you been for the last year???

[John Chardine]

Wherever you've been Wayne, it's nice to have you back!

[Troy Lim]

Thank you all for the help.