(Mostly) Shorebirds

[floraphile]

03 Mar 2021 Baldwin co. AL; Mobile Bay

1.  Purple Martin with nesting material--I can recognize Purple Martins up-close, but I am not comfortable IDing solely by silhouette.

2.  ??Dowitcher sp.  

3.  ?Black-bellied Plover vs sandpiper sp.--I usually don't find the general distinction of plover vs. sandpiper difficult, but with the Black-bellied, I do indeed, particularly when viewing long-distance.  Pointers?  

3.  ?Lesser Yellowlegs

Edited March 3, 2021 by floraphile
clarification

[MichaelLong]

1 is Martin

2 Greater Yellowlegs

3 Plover

4 Yellowleg Sp

[Bird-Boys]

2. Greater Yellowlegs

3. Black-bellied Plover

[IKLland]

6 hours ago, floraphile said:

usually don't find the general distinction of plover vs. sandpiper difficult, but with the Black-bellied, I do indeed, particularly when viewing long-distance.  Pointers?  

Black bellied plovers are generally a bit larger, but not much, than most sandpipers that look similar, but the short stubby black bill and grayish color and faint spots, not to mention posture, rule out sandpipers in winter. In the breeding plumage, it’s easy.