Sandpiper

The shorebird migration has begun with a few varieties coming through the Grand Haven, MI area last week. This is one of the few that were running around on the north pier in the early evening. I believe it's a Western Sandpiper(?), but I'm not sure. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Pentax K10D, 80-320 @320mm, f8, 1/400, iso 100

I know little to nothing of birds, so I can't help you there, I do like your composition though. Personally, I'd like to see the white point of the bird raised up. You could easily do this with an adjustment layer, masked for just the bird (and maybe slightly including where it's standing).

Hi Toni,
No expert myself, but I do spend a lot of time with these little guys here in Fl. Leg color is wrong for the Western, s/b black. That in mind, and if you just took the picture in the last 30 days, the plumage would have me looking at the "Least" (legs greenish/yellow), particularily if this was a real little tike. If those legs are indeed grayish black, then Western juvenile. But what I see and the plumage I would call it a juvenile Least Sandpiper. IMHO

Nice shot. I got some sandpiper shots last week but not nearly as good. Wish I knew more about birds so I could do a better job of identification.

I believe we are looking at a Semipalmated sandpiper here after going through various birding guides the clear white underbelly and the fairly wide white bar near the tail is what makes me think this is what it is. Nice shot but slightly overexposed. A little work in Levels, contrast and saturation would clean this up.

Sorry--I will stick with my previous thoughts---those legs are not black to me which is a key point of identification; still believe you have a "Least" sandpiper (juv). Semipalmated has short straight bill (this one is sl. curved) and black legs. Depending on the month, many of the sandpipers have the clear white underbelly. I find going on plumage on these is very problematic, worn vs. non-worn vs. juvenile vs. month of year. The "Least" bill is shorter than the Western's, but the Westerns, like the Least (not Semipalmated) is slightly curved on the end. This image has the hint of the upper rufous (faded or worn) feathers of a juvenile. Again, if those legs are indeed black, then not a Least; if greenish/yellow, dull like they appear, I go with Least.

You may be right! It's a difficult bird to ID. I see what you mean with the bill and the legs. Its range has me bothered tho. and the the lack of the white on the tail feathers in the photos I found. PP can have a lot to do with this also. But I will not argue and concede

I love these ID discussions. Nature is so diverse - everyone learns something. Keep it up.

Hi Brian,
FYI--On the range, the Least is shown as summers in Northen Canada, Artic, Alaska, but come migration, this little guy will blanket the entire US during fall migration (he/she comes right thru your area), to winter in Southern edges of the US, SE, Mex, FL and CA. He is kinda "everywhere". For ID of these tikes, I generally use Sibley, backed up with Peterson, backed up by Audobun manuals; if that doesn't work, have a contact who is an expert. Take care.

Beautiful detail in the bird, Toni. The catchlight is perfect.

Wow...I sure didn't expect this much of a discussion on the bird, but I am glad to see it!

The range is correct because it is migration season, and we have a lot of different species come through this time of year.
As for the color...the colors are also correct..this is the way he looked, with greenish legs. The size is what threw me because I thought he was larger than the Least SP, but about the same size as the Semipalmated Plover that was also on the pier. The Semi is 6½-7½ inches long, while the Least is 5-6½ inches long.

Joel...I underexposed by 1/3 stop intentionally because I blew the whites out on some of the other images, so yes, I can and will bring the white levels up a tad.

Thanks everyone, for your input..it's much appreciated!