RE: Need help with a shorebird ID

["Rick Fridell" <rfridell at burgoyne dot com>]

Hello Milt,

Dowitchers are very difficult in both alternate and non-breeding plumage.
Most birders I know have trouble with the two species at some time or
another(most times?), and I've been stumped on several silent individuals in
Washington County over the years (so I obviously don't qualify as a
'Dowitcher expert' by any measure).  If heard, their call note is certainly
the best way to tell them apart.

With all that said, I believe the photographs are of Long-billed Dowitchers
(in non-breeding plumage).  The primary character is the blurred barring
extending down the sides onto the flanks.  This barring is usually sparser,
and more distinct on SB.  Other clues include the evenly dark breasts of the
photographed birds (usually more speckled on SB), the dark gray cheeks
(usually more streaked on SB) and the dark tail visible on the sleeping
dowitcher in photos 1,2, and 6 (overall darker in LB and typically more
distinctly and evenly barred in SB).

Nice photographs!

Take care,
Rick



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-birdtalk@utahbirds.org
[mailto:owner-birdtalk@utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Utah Birds
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 9:37 PM
To: BirdTalk@utahbirds.org
Subject: Need help with a shorebird ID



Looks like shorebirds are starting to come through.  Here are some photos of
some possible Short-billed Dowitchers.

Is there a Dowitcher expert in the house!

Any opinions on these photos?

http://utahbirds.org/hotlinephotos/ShrotBilledDowitcher.htm




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