Sandpiper and Gull Help
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May 20, 2008 10:40:05 GMT -8
Post by Sandpiper and Gull Help on May 20, 2008 10:40:05 GMT -8
I need some help identifying these birds. The first one is a gull and I am terrible at identifying them but I believe it's a Western Gull. The second one is a picture of a group of sandpipers. I believe they are Western Sandpipers but again I want to make sure. There is one in the group who is duller is that because he is still in winter plumage.
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May 20, 2008 10:41:52 GMT -8
Post by Chris on May 20, 2008 10:41:52 GMT -8
I wasn't signed in when I posted this
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May 20, 2008 11:47:11 GMT -8
Post by Dave on May 20, 2008 11:47:11 GMT -8
Hi bundy8717, The gull picture is a great shot of a breeding Glaucous-Winged Gull. Good thinking on the Western Gull, but a Western's back and wingtips would even darker yet. We are used to seeing scruffy looking Glaucous-winged in the winter fields here, and I always have to do a double-look when a clean white individual shows up like the one in your photo. I will pass on confirming/debating the sandpiper, but I think there are other options there as well. Thanks for posting. Gives a nice break from this rainy day. Keep the photos coming! Dave
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May 20, 2008 15:40:44 GMT -8
Post by Chris on May 20, 2008 15:40:44 GMT -8
Thanks for your help Dave. It's funny because my first instinct was Glaucous-winged Gull. I have more of the sandpiper pictures and they are better than that one. I posted it because I was wondering about the one with the duller colour. Here's two more and
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May 20, 2008 16:42:23 GMT -8
Post by Gord on May 20, 2008 16:42:23 GMT -8
I think those are Sanderling going into moult to breeding (alternate) plumage.
The paler ones will be the females or males not as far along.
Good guess on the Western. Bill, leg colour and some of the colouring on the body is similar. Nice work. These group of birds are a challenge!
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May 20, 2008 17:39:06 GMT -8
Post by Chris on May 20, 2008 17:39:06 GMT -8
I completely overlooked sanderling. It makes sense because they look very similar but they are a bit bigger. I thought they were too big for Westerns.
A new lifer for me.
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