Eastern WA shorebird help

[Seattle]

I thought this was a yellowlegs when I saw it and now that I'm looking at the bird I don't think so.  Maybe a spotted sandpiper but the eye ring looks too big.  Solitary?  Thanks is advance!

 

[Sean C]

Solitary Sandpiper

[akandula]

I agree with Solitary Sandpiper.

It differs from a yellowlegs by its duller green (not yellow) legs, a rich brown (not grayish-brown) back, small white spots on its back (not a mottled pattern), and its prominent white eye-ring.

It differs from breeding Spotteds by its longer, blackish-green bill (not relatively short and orange), longer greenish legs (not orange), a brown breast and a white belly (not black spotted breast and belly), a much more prominent eyering, and a white speckled (not black speckled) brown back.

Funny thing was that I went through this exact process a few days ago when I got my lifer Solitary. I first thought it was either a yellowlegs or a Spotted. However, Spotteds and Solitaries have a very unique behavior known as bobbing and teetering. When standing or walking, they often bob their tail and head, so when you see this behavior, you can easily cut it down to these two species. So, I eliminated the yellowlegs. Then, plumage is the most important, allowing one to rule out Spotted and get a Solitary.