I could also use some help with this ID

[old coot]

Yesterday, while Bufflehead and I were going for a birding drive, we went down Tuyttens Rd in Agassiz. It had slowed a little for sightings, so apparently Dave wished for some sandpipers to be in the little puddle in the farmers field almost at the end of the road near the river. Well, guess what. There were these three little peeps.

DSCF2238 by Klaus Molthagen, on Flickr

We are not sure, but might they be Western Sandpipers?

DSCF2266 by Klaus Molthagen, on Flickr

DSCF2249 by Klaus Molthagen, on Flickr

What amazing power a fertile imagination has. Now if I could just get him to find me (and his) nemesis bird of the Wilson's Snipe. Or a winning lottery ticket. Or a.......

Klaus

[Bentley]

The large light-coloured one I think to be a Western. The droopy, medium length bill accompanied by the light breast band is good for ID. The other two I believe to be Least. They are much darker in colouring than the Western and are slightly smaller.

[old coot]

Thanks Bentley.

Since they were all together, I wondered if maybe they were male/female group, or adult/juvenile or whatever. Now I know they were different species. Live and learn. Thanks for you help. Klaus

[Ben]

I'd lean toward all 3 being Least Sandpiper

[Bentley]

Aug 12, 2022 16:47:14 GMT -8 Ben said:

I'd lean toward all 3 being Least Sandpiper

Looking closer, I do agree with you

[Randy]

Aug 12, 2022 19:58:01 GMT -8 Bentley said:

Aug 12, 2022 16:47:14 GMT -8 Ben said:

I'd lean toward all 3 being Least Sandpiper

Looking closer, I do agree with you

Least for me as well. Nice find Klaus!

[old coot]

Thanks to Birder King and Bentley, I can now add a Least Sandpiper to my life list. Of course, I just missed out on the western, but there is always next time. I will keep looking, but the finding is subject to review. Klaus

[old coot]

Thanks Randy. It was only because of Dave's excellent eye-sight and quick wit that we were able to see them. K

[Gord]

I believe that paler one to be a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Nice one we don't have many records for them here.

[Jon]

Aug 13, 2022 17:14:29 GMT -8 Gord said:

I believe that paler one to be a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Nice one we don't have many records for them here.

Can you explain why?


Although it looks slightly larger (though when compared with the bird on the left, it doesn't look much bigger), it can be hard to judge due to the angles of the birds in the photo.

In the 1st pic it seems to show a fatter bill drooping to a thinner bill, which seems Ok for least. The second seems to show a straighter bill, but it isn't quite as stubby as I would expect.

Leg color is not easy to see.

The paleness of the bird is indeed better for Semipalmated, but I'm still leaning towards Least.


Thanks!

[Gord]

Start with age of the birds. All are juveniles in the photo so we know what to expect plumage-wise. Adults will have pretty worn feathers and should be showing some molt into grey winter plumage. The two Leasts are the expected darker colours with the rufous tones. The Semipalmated has that dusky breast and a scaly pattern on the back which is good. If this was a Western Sandpiper a row of bright rufous feathers would be visible on the back. Bill shape is tough to confirm but certainly falls within Semipalmated realms.

Photo below of a similar looking Semipalmated from about the same time of year with a Least on the left.

[old coot]

Thanks for the learning curve. No wonder I get confused when looking at a new species and try to ID it. THANK YOU. Klaus