[obol] Re: Calidris ID help (Least vs. Long-toed)
- From: Bob Archer <rabican1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:10:48 -0700
If that is a middle toe in Ed's new pictures then it is a Least. I do
remember Shawneen emphasizing the "J" and bi-colored bill last year, I even
have written those notes in my guide. But the middle toe on a Long-toed
is longer than the bill and the tarsus and this bird does not appear to
have that feature. So those three points are strikes against a Long-toed.
Bob Archer
On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 10:56 AM, Wayne Hoffman <whoffman@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi –
>
>
>
> One of the difficult lessons here is that when we really examine them
> carefully, Least Sandpipers are incredibly variable. They vary in posture,
> head pattern, leg and toe proportions, bill size and shape – you name it.
> I bet if we look long enough we’ll find some birds with pale bill bases
> that otherwise look more like Leasts then Long-toes.
>
>
>
> I have no personal experience with conclusively identified Long-toed
> Stints, but from examination of photos, I suspect the same is true for them
> – highly variable as well.
>
>
>
> I often imagine the difficulty a birder in Thailand, say might have poring
> over flocks of peeps trying to pick out a vagrant Least Sandpiper, and
> periodically finding birds that look “different” from Long-toes, but not
> able to nail down any as definite Leasts.
>
>
>
> Wayne
>
>
>
> *From:* obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On
> Behalf Of *Shawneen Finnegan
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 28, 2014 9:40 AM
> *To:* obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OBOL
> *Subject:* [obol] Re: Calidris ID help (Least vs. Long-toed)
>
>
>
> All:
>
>
>
> I would say this is a Least Sandpiper, but this is a very difficult ID
> that has stumped the best, particularly in basic plumage. Leasts can
> stretch up regularly and look tall and upright which throws people off. Bob
> Archer brings up some interesting points, but doesn't mention face pattern
> and lower bill base color, which is the first thing I look for.
>
>
>
> Long-toed Stints, particularly juveniles, have a different face pattern
> that differs from Least in that the dark crown extends to the base of the
> bill and connects with the dark eyeline, such that the white supercilium
> doesn't reach the base of the bill. It creates a "J". This is less
> pronounced in basic plumage. The supercilium on Least extends to the base
> of the bill. This bird shows a faint facial pattern with some duskiness at
> the base of the bill at the forward part of the supercilium.
>
>
>
> The other thing is that Long-toeds usually, but not always, have a pale
> base to the bill, which this bird does not and vice versa with Leasts.
> There is mud at the base of this bird's bill on its right side, but not on
> the left which shows the bill to be very black.
>
>
>
> Leg length can be hard to determine because of Least's propensity to
> crouch. Unless they stand up and look alert like the bird in question,
> seeing how long the upper half of their legs are can be difficult to see.
>
>
>
> The first thing I always do is hit the books and internet search for
> photos of both species.
>
>
>
> Monte Taylor has a number of photos of LTST on his website at:
> http://www.tsuru-bird.net/a_species/stint_long-toed/
>
>
>
> Years ago Rich Stallcup thought he had found a Long-toed in Marin County,
> CA, which was finally deemed a Least Sandpiper. See video/blog by Keith
> Hansen who took lots of video of it below. The record was never submitted
> as I believe it was finally deemed to be a Least Sandpiper. But it shows
> just how hard these can be.
>
>
>
>
> http://thebloggerhead.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/interesting-sandpiper-has-birders-talking-learning-considering/
>
>
>
> Off to work. No more time to contemplate this.
>
>
>
> Shawneen Finnegan
>
> Portland, OR
>
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