What's this Sandpiper?

[smittyone@cox.net]

Is this even a Sandpiper at all?  It was seen along with a bunch of Lesser Yellowlegs in NW Missouri back in April last year.

[Bird-Boys]

Semipalmated Sandpiper, I believe.

[smittyone@cox.net]

Thinking out loud, could this be a Sanderling?

 

[AlexHenry]

3 minutes ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

Thinking out loud, could this be a Sanderling?

 

No

[Tony Leukering]

4 minutes ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

Thinking out loud, could this be a Sanderling?

 

It has four toes on that elevated foot.

[smittyone@cox.net]

I never even thought to count toes.  Playing devil's advocate, if the toes were in mud/under water, how else could you tell?  Because honestly, when I compare pics of Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers, I really can't see a difference. What other feature(s) should I look for?

[The Bird Nuts]

11 minutes ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

I never even thought to count toes.  Playing devil's advocate, if the toes were in mud/under water, how else could you tell?  Because honestly, when I compare pics of Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers, I really can't see a difference. What other feature(s) should I look for?

I found this:

http://freidaybird.blogspot.com/2012/08/fri-d-semipalmated-sandpiper-vs.html

[Quiscalus quiscula]

Usually Sanderling's winter plumage is very pale, paler than most other shorebirds.

[BirdNrd]

47 minutes ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

Thinking out loud, could this be a Sanderling?

 

Sanderling back, Semipalm in front.

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by BirdNrd

[Charlie Spencer]

3 hours ago, BirdNrd said:

Sanderling back, Semipalm in front.

 

So, a more distinctly defined collar on the SAND, more white on the neck, and lighter brown?

[Seanbirds]

34 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said:

So, a more distinctly defined collar on the SAND, more white on the neck, and lighter brown?

And bigger.

[Seanbirds]

4 hours ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

Is this even a Sandpiper at all?  It was seen along with a bunch of Lesser Yellowlegs in NW Missouri back in April last year.

Nice shot!!

[TKbird]

18 hours ago, smittyone@cox.net said:

I never even thought to count toes.  Playing devil's advocate, if the toes were in mud/under water, how else could you tell?  Because honestly, when I compare pics of Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers, I really can't see a difference. What other feature(s) should I look for?

Peeps and related species have lots of plumages and are notoriously difficult.  I have found the two attached files useful, although they don't discuss the larger relatives much.

p00853-p00876.pdf v40n4p40w1.pdf

[smittyone@cox.net]

Thanks so much

 

[Tony Leukering]

Before getting to the meat of this response, I point out that the depicted bird here is a male Semi, with a bill much shorter than that of Sanderling. If it had been a female, the bill-length would not have been as useful or, even, useful at all.

Let's go back to plumage basics. The depicted bird is in alternate plumage. This plumage differs from the appearance of basic plumage in the same species by the more highly colored scapulars and wing coverts and -- particularly -- by the streaking on the chest.

Here is a Sanderling in full alternate plumage. This plumage differs from the appearance of basic plumage in the same species by a LOT of stuff. However, note that no plumage of Sanderling involves streaking on the underparts.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/347696551

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/235649851

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/332604571

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/98780841

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/156747161

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/342297971 - This is probably about the closest that SAND comes to obvious streaking.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/258205191 - Note the obvious black wrist, a feature that, while not always visible, is an absolute distinguishing feature of SAND.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/262223411 - I threw this one in just because it's a cool photo!

When trying to distinguish between similar or somewhat similar species, pay attention to how they differ, not how they're similar. Study primary projection, wingtip projection, precise patterns on individual feathers, etc. In other words, look at the bird; study the bird's parts, not just the bird as a whole.