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which Godwit?

Discussion

3 replies
Posted by Rob Graham on April 18, 2010 at 11:10 PM
which Godwit?
I took this tonight at Cheyenne Bottoms, central Kansas. Lots of Hudsonian Godwits were reported this weekend, but I only saw one report of a Marbled Godwit this weekend, and that was from a wetland 40 miles south. Can you tell me which species the big bird in the middle is? I can't decided if it is a basic Hudsonian or a Marbled. In the field, I was guessing Marbled, but I have basically no experience with either species.
Posted by Nate Chappell on April 19, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Is that a breeding plumage Hudsonian in the lower right corner? I was guessing Marbled as well, if it's a Hudsonian in the front corner that would seem to indicate quite a size difference which would lean toward the center bird being Marbled.
Posted by Rob Graham on April 19, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Thanks for the input, Nate. There were a number of breeding plumage Hudsonian in the flock, and I'd guess the one in the corner is one of them.

Look at the bird in the upper left. It appears to have a slightly reddish breast. Do you think it is a Hudsonian coming into breeding plumage?

thanks again.
Posted by Nate Chappell on April 20, 2010 at 12:17 AM
I think so but at this size it's a little hard to tell.