Mush Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Hey! Simple one today. Westerns, Dunlins, and Semipalmated sandpipers in nonbreeding plumage...... I can never seem to get the three straight. I know semipalamated has the shortest beak, followed by westerm, then dunlin has the longest beak. However, I am torn between western and dunlin in this image. Anyone care to help and give some good tips for IDing the three species? Thanks! (This bird was seen in western Florida. It is shorebird migration currently here, lots of cool stuff). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 I’m leaning Dunlin, but wait for the experts. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 Dunlin. Long, drooping bill and stocky body. Also note that Dunlin forages in deeper water like shown in your picture, whereas Western Sandpiper tends to forage on mudflats and sandy beaches. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird-Boys Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Dunlin 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigOly Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 ? To me the bill looks a little short for Dunlin. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird-Boys Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 On 8/15/2021 at 1:08 PM, Quiscalus quiscula said: Also note that Dunlin forages in deeper water like shown in your picture, whereas Western Sandpiper tends to forage on mudflats and sandy beaches. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 5 minutes ago, BigOly said: ? To me the bill looks a little short for Dunlin. If you compare manually, you will see that the bird pictured in the topic has a bill almost as long as in the picture you showed above, short only by a couple of millimeters. I think habits and appearance point to Dunlin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigOly Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 10 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: If you compare manually, you will see that the bird pictured in the topic has a bill almost as long as in the picture you showed above, short only by a couple of millimeters. I think habits and appearance point to Dunlin. Western or Dunlin? Not trying to beat a dead horse. I 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 25 minutes ago, BigOly said: Western or Dunlin? Not trying to beat a dead horse. I Dunlin. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigOly Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 23 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Dunlin. 23 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: ? White breast and throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 These look more like Western Sandpipers to me personally but I’ll admit it’s tough without being able to gauge size… plain grayish (no brown tones), face, throat and breast pattern looks more like a WESA to me. The bill shape is probably well within range of either species. Honestly I’m not 100% sure but leaning Western What date was the original photo taken? It’s still on the early side for Dunlins 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 I agree these are Western Sandpipers. The white facial markings and the white breast with flecks of gray are good for the species. Dunlin are plainer-faced and have a uniform gray breast. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 @Mush's bird is most definitely not a Dunlin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Leaving ID forums right now… 1 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigOly Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Leaving ID forums right now… you can't quit!!!! We need you😃 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRHead Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 15 minutes ago, Seanbirds said: Leaving ID forums right now… No! Really? For how long? I left a few minutes ago to get some ice cream, but I came right back. 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Maybe I'll be able to get a post in edge wise now! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 12 hours ago, Seanbirds said: Leaving ID forums right now… IDs? Oh, is that what you were trying to do?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 17 hours ago, BigOly said: Western or Dunlin? Not trying to beat a dead horse. I You make a good point, however I think habitat makes a big difference. The bird shown above is probably Western Sandpiper, as we can see some rufous edging on the feathers and it is foraging on a mud flat. I am no longer as certain on my ID of @Mush's bird, however I find it unlikely that a Western Sandpiper would be foraging in such deep water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 14 hours ago, Seanbirds said: Leaving ID forums right now… Don't leave, I know I've made some bad identifications in the past, you know about those, but in the end I decided not to leave this community, as everyone makes mistakes and I love to give my opinions on birds, even when they are sometimes wrong and I am corrected. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansabirdguy Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 On 8/17/2021 at 11:28 AM, Quiscalus quiscula said: Don't leave, I know I've made some bad identifications in the past, you know about those, but in the end I decided not to leave this community, as everyone makes mistakes and I love to give my opinions on birds, even when they are sometimes wrong and I am corrected. If @Seanbirds is leaving, I should have left a long time ago. multiple opinions helps everyone think through the different options better, I think. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 Just now, kansabirdguy said: If @Seanbirds is leaving, I should have left a long time ago. multiple opinions helps everyone think through the different options better, I think. I agree. In fact, I considered leaving at one point very early on when I joined, when some drama came up. I only realize now how awful I really acted. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) We learn more from our mistakes than our successes. No one ever died from making or receiving an incorrect identification. Edited August 23, 2021 by Charlie Spencer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansabirdguy Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 3 hours ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: I agree. In fact, I considered leaving at one point very early on when I joined, when some drama came up. I only realize now how awful I really acted. speaking of leaving, where is Tony Leukering? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 38 minutes ago, kansabirdguy said: speaking of leaving, where is Tony Leukering? I dunno, he hasn't visited in forever. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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