Sandpipers are as confusing as sparrows for me. I'm guessing Least Sandpiper. Shot yesterday at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.
Posted by RL Potts on November 2, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Pectoral?
Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 2, 2011 at 1:59 PM
You're probably right, Phil. Yellow legs, dark-brown back and small size are pretty definitive for the smallest North American Calidris. It can be very difficult to separate Least Sandpiper from some of the Asian vagrants, especially the Long-toed Stint. But as a matter of probability, at least, you've got a Least here.
Robert, I'd expect a Pectoral Sandpiper to be considerably bigger, to have tan or grey scalloping instead of white, and to be much greyer this time of year. I'd also expect a Pectoral Sandpiper to be in Argentina now.
But Peeps are hard.
Posted by Peter May on November 3, 2011 at 8:08 AM
I'd go for a late Pectoral. Nothing to judge size by in this photo. The colors are warm because of early morning (or late afternoon) light. I've never seen the two-toned bill on Leasts, but it seems to be typical for Pectorals, in my very limited experience. The border between streaked breast and white belly seems pretty abrupt. Pectorals are still moving through Florida right now, though as Jim says, most have already passed. That said, I don't have a high level of confidence in my call. Rich Ditch, where are you?
Posted by Brian Gatlin on November 3, 2011 at 8:50 AM
I'd go with Pectoral on this one also. Least should have a smaller, darker, more decurved bill. Size is hard to get on this photo, but I do think this bird looks bigger, taller, chunkier than a Least also, and possibly showing a little primary projection toward the rear (any other angles showing the rear of the bird, Phil?) which a Least would not show.
According to The Shorebird Guide, most pass by mid-Oct but stragglers remain into Nov.
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 3, 2011 at 3:51 PM
Rich Ditch, where are you?
- Peter May
Sorry - I've been distracted (or hiding from potential embarrassment).
My gut feel on first viewing this was Pectoral Sandpiper. Although it is impossible to judge size in a photo like this I get a feel for some bulk to this bird, unlike the diminutive Least Sandpiper.
The strong capped appearance is better for Pectoral IMO - in fact I looked right away for the chevrons on the flank that would indicate a vagrant Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
I agree that the bill color is a better fit for Pectoral than for Least as well.
Posted by Nate Chappell on November 3, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Discussion
6 repliesRobert, I'd expect a Pectoral Sandpiper to be considerably bigger, to have tan or grey scalloping instead of white, and to be much greyer this time of year. I'd also expect a Pectoral Sandpiper to be in Argentina now.
But Peeps are hard.
According to The Shorebird Guide, most pass by mid-Oct but stragglers remain into Nov.
Sorry - I've been distracted (or hiding from potential embarrassment).
My gut feel on first viewing this was Pectoral Sandpiper. Although it is impossible to judge size in a photo like this I get a feel for some bulk to this bird, unlike the diminutive Least Sandpiper.
The strong capped appearance is better for Pectoral IMO - in fact I looked right away for the chevrons on the flank that would indicate a vagrant Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
I agree that the bill color is a better fit for Pectoral than for Least as well.