A few unknowns from Sacramento

[Mindy Smith]

Was in the Sacramento CA NWR two days ago and saw this hawk (will I eventually get better at IDs?). Quite a few Red-Shouldered Hawks along with Red-Tailed and lots of Northern Harriers this trip. Also need help with the ID of the small finch maybe, next to the Red-Winged Blackbird. In the next shot, what are the sandpipers flying in and the final one I think are long-billed Dowitchers but how can you tell from short-billed, especially at a distance?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Birding Boy]

1: Yup, Red-shouldered Hawk. 
 

2: Looks like a female House Sparrow to me with that big pale bill and dark eye stripe. 
 

3: Probably Dowitchers yes,  but it’s gunna be tough to get them to species. I know I can’t. Your flight shots should help though if someone with more experience wants to weigh in.

[Connor Cochrane]

Given the location it's pretty safe to call the Dowitchers Long-billed.

[Aidan B]

The flying Sandpipers appear to be a mix of Dunlin and Dowichers

[Jefferson Shank]

 

The flying Sandpipers appear to be a mix of Dunlin and Dowichers

I agree.

Edited February 5, 2021 by Jefferson Shank

[IKLland]

@Mindy Smithdo you know if the dowitchers were in salt or fresh water? Habitat really helps with them

[Connor Cochrane]

3 minutes ago, IKLland said:

@Mindy Smithdo you know if the dowitchers were in salt or fresh water? Habitat really helps with them

It's one of the Central Valley NWR's. It's safe to call them Long-billed in winter.

[Mindy Smith]

Thanks all. I think the water is fresh water. I also see now that there are two types of sandpipers in the flying group so thanks for making me look more closely. They were in such synch that I thought they were a single species when I took the picture.

[Tony Leukering]

If the dowitchers were closer in the phots, you might be able to use the wing-pattern feature described here.

[Mindy Smith]

Thanks Tony, you are a gem. 

[Seanbirds]

24 minutes ago, Mindy Smith said:

Thanks Tony, you are a gem. 

Agreed!