Dowitcher -- long or short-billed?

[TomFuller]

I have long used bill length to ID Dowitchers. If some are VERY long or VERY short, it's not hard. I hear from local experts, that many Dowitchers are in the Twilight Zone for bill length and there are better ways to ID them. This is a picture taken in the South San Francisco Bay (Baylands Park) in May. I *think* the bird on the right is a LBDO and the other two are SBDO. I would appreciate your thoughts, and even more, the basis for distinguishing Dowitchers in the Twilight Zone of bill length. Thanks!

[chipperatl]

This article is what I use, https://www.aba.org/birding_archive_files/v38n5p34.pdf to help.  Even then it is almost like you have to get very close to see that feather detail.  

Jon Dunn also has a video on Dowitcher ID - Dowitcher ID with Jon Dunn

 

Saying that I am no expert and am 60/40 on Short-billed.  

[Birds are cool]

I agree with you @TomFuller, the bird on the right looks like long billed, and the others shirt billed.

[AlexHenry]

You shouldn’t use bill length - vocalizations are best. Habitat, location, and date can be helpful. 
 

In this case, the photo was taken in May so they are in, or at least molting into, fresh breeding plumage. Based off of their plumage my opinion is that they all look like Long-billed Dowitchers, but probably safer to leave them unidentified without more supporting information 

[AlexHenry]

Personally if I’m not sure about a flock of dowitchers I will often intentionally flush them to hear the calls. I believe the pattern on the underwing coverts is diagnostic as well, Long-billed more white and Short-billed darker and more heavily barred

Edited November 3, 2022 by AlexHenry

[Bird-Boys]

1 hour ago, AlexHenry said:

Personally if I’m not sure about a flock of dowitchers I will often intentionally flush them to hear the calls.

Please do not intentionally flush birds, they're under enough pressure in today's world as it is. Leaving it as a slash is perfectly acceptable. 

[AlexHenry]

40 minutes ago, Bird-Boys said:

Please do not intentionally flush birds, they're under enough pressure in today's world as it is. Leaving it as a slash is perfectly acceptable. 

It’s not that big of a deal. Usually I use pretty noninvasive methods (such as, I don’t use playback, I almost never pish) - I’d argue that my birding methods are less invasive than a lot of other birds that I know… 

In general I’m pretty passive as an observer, but sometimes the data is worth it, especially when the disturbance to the birds is minimal

[TomFuller]

Thanks to you all. The article and video are rich resources. I read most of the article and will continue later. I just got started on the video, but will return later. As said before, I always learn from this group.