okaugust Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 I found this solo Dowitcher north of Sheridan, WY tonight. It was alone on a small farm pond with Mallards and Green-winged Teal. Usually I see dowitchers in at least a small flock, and it SHOULD be a Long-billed, and may very well be. Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but it seems to be missing the hunch in the back and the bill seemed shorter. It does have the larger round belly that is supposed to be a trait of the Long-billed, but looking at photos of both and allaboutbirds I see varying levels of belly roundness or skinniness on both. Basically for every one I see that should be one or the other, the next one looks like...the other. Anyway, all I know is I I see Long-billed because that's what I'm supposed to see, but if this is a Short-billed, I'll never tell the difference and someone with more experience might. Thank you in advance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 This bird looks fine for a Long-billed Dowitcher. It is very chunky and has short primary projection. A Short-billed would be very rare there and this would be on the late end, in terms of date, for one to occur. Vocalizations are the best way to tell them apart when they look like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Long-billed -- the bird has already replaced nearly all of its juvenile plumage, which rules out Short-billed, as it does not molt until reaching winter grounds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okaugust Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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