Encircled

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 201280 views5 comments

I think that this is a Dowitcher. The shot was taken near Fort Myers, Florida, in early February. I have had very little experience in identifying shorebirds. So, all assistance much appreciated.

I like how the ripples encircle the bird in this shot.

All comments most welcome.

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1250, 1/640 s, f/16, 0 EV, 9.3 MP (58% of 16 MP full frame), NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 24, 2012 at 3:33 PM

Can't be positive, but Short-billed Dowitcher is a good guess. The pose and detail are solid, and the ripples really make this picture.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 24, 2012 at 9:15 PM

I agree this is a dowitcher, and the probability just from location is for short-billed.

The colors are very pleasing and I am fascinated by the excellent circular ripples you've captured.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on March 27, 2012 at 4:03 PM

Very nicely done! I love the simplicity. The ripples are fantastic.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Richardson on March 31, 2012 at 6:57 AM

Hi Steve

I don't often disagree with Richard on ID's, especially shorebirds, but this is a winter plumage Stilt Sandpiper. Although somewhat similiar to a dowitcher, both species have grey green bills. The black bill, as here, is the clincher IMO.

Bill Pranty's guide suggests Feb records are quite unusual & I've only seen one Stilt Sandpiper at Ft Myers & that was in May!

Cheers: Wayne

Cheers: Wayne.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 31, 2012 at 9:06 PM

Thank you for your comments everyone, especially for your efforts to identify this bird. Looks like it's either a Dowitcher or a Stilt Sandpiper. I think the key question is whether or not the black bill can be used to distinguish the two species. I can find mention of the black bill in various references and on the Internet. However, I have not yet found a reference that states it as a distinguishing characteristic. Furthermore, the Dowitcher bill is sometimes described as "dark". Also, that mud might have helped with the color too! Finally, I can' see evidence of any curvature in this bird's bill as befitting the Sandpiper...but maybe the angle of the bird's head affects how visible that would be. Interesting!!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments