[Umpqua Birds] Re: Bonnie's Dowitcher Photos
- From: Matthew G Hunter <matthewghunter@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 21:27:34 -0700
Hi Bonnie and All,
It seems that others are as stumped as I am. I requested feedback on
Bonnie's dowitcher from folks on OBOL. There are 1000 people on OBOL. Two
replied to me personally. Both have birded in Oregon over 40 years. Both
said, I don't know, but probably a Long-billed because of the
strong/extensive red/orange underneath. Main problem is that the most
diagnostic feathers on breeding-plumaged dowitchers are on the front of the
neck/upper chest, and we don't have a good view of those feathers (only
side views). The bill looks short to me, but could be a male Long-billed.
In shorebirds females usually have longer bills and males shorter bills.
Even with good views, some breeding-plumaged dowitchers can be very
difficult to tell apart. Their call is by far the easiest way to tell them
apart. I don't suppose you heard the bird, Bonnie? Anyway, ...Score:
dowitcher 1, birders 0. :-)
Matt Hunter
Melrose, OR
On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 8:41 AM, Matthew G Hunter
<matthewghunter@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> Bonnie's photos of the dowitcher at Stewart Wildlife Area Ponds are at:
> http://www.jbranchmurraygreys.com/00r13bird/04dowitcher1.html
>
> Some additional help for identifying dowitchers beyond field guides can be
> found at:
> http://thebirdguide.com/identification/dowitchers/dowitcher_intro.htm
>
> Matt Hunter
> Melrose, OR
>
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