sbruenjes Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 OK, I think I have gone through all my pics during my recent trip to the Edwin Forsythe Wildlife Refuge in Ocean County, NJ… This is the last group of peeps that is confusing me.. I'm looking at these peeps and I know I see semi-palmated sandpipers, but the bird in the back looks darker.. the more I stare at these pics, the more they all look different.. I need help. Are these all just semipalmated sandpipers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdNrd Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 (edited) Semipalmated? Edited August 9, 2020 by BirdNrd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soohegan Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 the one in back doesn't look like a semi - rufous wash across chest instead of an overall ashy tone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 The back one looks like Western, with that droopy bill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 What about the front bird in the first photo. Bill looks pretty long. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 (edited) Yeah, the front bird in the first photo is tricky. I'm inclined to go semi- keep in mind that semis in the western US are shorter billed on average than those in the east, and this bird is definitely on the very long end. That said, it's got that dainty structure that I associate with Semipalmated as opposed to the front heavy look that Western has. Also, notice the breast band- a Western with that much streaking on the breast should show rufous as it's not yet fully molted into its non-breeding plumage. Edited August 9, 2020 by Benjamin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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