[wisb] Re: Western Sandpiper photos
- From: David La Puma <woodcreeper@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 09:11:20 -0500
and of course after I looked at ALL of Ryans photos, I'm again scratching
my head... that bird is way too big!!! Yes, it does show some striking
similarities to an oddly molted Dunlin... and plumage-wise is okay for
Semipalmated IMHO... I'm perplexed.
D
________________________
David A. La Puma
Postdoctoral Associate
Aeroecology Program
Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology
University of Delaware
Visiting Scientist
SILVIS Lab (http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/)
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Teaching/Research Profile:
http://www.woodcreeper.com/teaching
Websites:
http://www.woodcreeper.com
http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com
On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 9:06 AM, David La Puma <woodcreeper@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> This bird lacks some of the big 'jump out' features of a WRSA in my
> opinion (pale base of lower mandible, fine streaking on the flanks). On the
> other hand, the bird looks good for one of those "way too similar to
> Western" Semipalmated sandpipers: a bright individual with a bill on the
> long end- making it a tough ID for sure. When comparing images of Semis and
> Westerns I find this bird to be more 'muted' than expected for Western-
> although in isolation it would have definitely made me think Western. Cool
> bird Ryan!
>
> D
> ________________________
>
> David A. La Puma
> Postdoctoral Associate
> Aeroecology Program
> Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology
> University of Delaware
>
> Visiting Scientist
> SILVIS Lab (http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/)
> University of Wisconsin, Madison
>
> Teaching/Research Profile:
> http://www.woodcreeper.com/teaching
>
> Websites:
> http://www.woodcreeper.com
> http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 8:19 AM, Tom Schultz <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
>> This is quite an interesting bird, since it doesn't seem to fit any
>> species
>> perfectly.
>>
>> I find the comments of Tom Wood, Mark Korducki and Steve Lubahn all
>> intriguing. Like Tom, I also wondered about the possibility of a small
>> Dunlin with an incomplete molt into breeding plumage. In many respects
>> the
>> bird is very similar to the Dunlins next to it, but the bill does seem
>> somewhat small (shortish) for that species.
>>
>> I agree that although White-rumped should be considered, the bird does
>> seem
>> a little large for that species, and then there is the problem with the
>> wingtips not extending prominently beyond the tail, and it lacks the
>> reddish
>> patch at the base of the lower mandible. The bill also seems a bit longer
>> than is typical for White-rumped.
>>
>> As Steve suggested, hybridism might be considered -- and although still
>> pretty rare, it does occur from time to time. "Cox's Sandpiper", for
>> example, is an occasionally-seen hybrid between Pectoral and Curlew
>> Sandpipers.
>>
>> Take a look at the interesting bird at the link below, which I think does
>> bear some resemblance to Ryan's bird:
>>
>> http://www.oceanwanderers.com/WayneRichardson.Sandpiper.html
>>
>> Whatever is determined, I don't think Ryan should be too hard on himself
>> about his original ID -- in this case it is far from straightforward, and
>> the resemblance to Western is understandable. Like Mark, however, my
>> suspicions were also raised when I saw the photos that showed Dunlins in
>> close comparison -- with this bird close to that size. Westerns are a
>> fairly small peep -- closer to Semipalmated in overall size.
>>
>> Tom Schultz
>> Green Lake Co.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ryan Brady
>> Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 7:31 AM
>> To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [wisb] Re: Western Sandpiper photos
>>
>>
>> Here are the initial comments from Cameron Cox, who authored this
>> http://www.surfbirds.com/Features/coxpeeps1006/coxpeeps1006.html among
>> other
>> credentials. I'll add some more photos to the gallery and provide some
>> field comments shortly. I will also post to ID-Frontiers at some point.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Not to be a wet blanket but this is clearly a White-rumped Sandpiper not
>> a
>> Western. While Westerns are bigger that Semipalmed, they aren't much
>> bigger.
>> Mostly Westerns are taller and bulkier. This bird is closer to the DUNL
>> than
>> to to the Semi P Sandpiper in size. The very linear streaking on the
>> chest,
>> the heavily streaked lower portion of the face, the very pale reddish
>> scapulars and cheek patch are all classic White-rumped Sandpiper. The
>> absolutely clinching mark can be seen in the last photo in Ryan gallery,
>> 6295. The sides of the broad white rump patch are visible with a row of
>> subterminal arrowhead shaped marks, followed by dark outer tail feathers.
>> Both those arrowhead dots and the dark outer tail feather are not found on
>> any of the smaller peeps. The wings do seem short for a White-rumped but
>> can
>> be seen projecting beyond the tail in a few of Ryan excellent photo. The
>> plus side being that these are some killer photos of White-rumped
>> Sandpiper.
>>
>>
>> Should have been more clear about my statement on the outer tail feathers.
>> Westerns also have dark outer tail feathers, but those of White-rumped are
>> darker, almost blackish. When they flush White-rumped Sandpiper appears to
>> have an all dark tail, while in Western Sandpiper the dark central tail
>> feathers contrast sharply with the pale medium gray outer tail feathers."
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Ryan Brady
>> Washburn, Bayfield County, WI
>> http://www.pbase.com/rbrady
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------
>> > Subject: [wisb] Re: Western Sandpiper photos
>> > From: stevenlubahn@xxxxxxxxx
>> > Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 07:26:22 -0500
>> > CC: ashlandbirders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > To: ryanbrady10@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >
>> > Ryan, I can easily see why you would have called this a Western. I agree
>> > with Tom and Mark's comments. I felt the same thing last night when
>> > looking over the photos. The even rufous tones to the upper back, heavy
>> > streaking on the head and size are problematic. But, what about the
>> lower
>> > mandible, primary extension? Something is off about this bird.
>> >
>> > Take a closer look at this photo...
>> >
>> > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/143555359
>> >
>> > Is there a white rump peaking out?
>> >
>> > A quick google image did not produce a Western that looked like this
>> bird
>> > yet White-rumped seems to be a closer fit despite the irregularities.
>> >
>> > Dare I suggest this is not a pure bird?
>> >
>> > Good luck, I'm off to go birding.
>> >
>> > Steven Lubahn
>> > Cudahy
>> > Milw Co.
>> > On May 24, 2012, at 8:41 PM, Ryan Brady wrote:
>> >
>> > >
>> > > Here's a gallery of 8 photos of the Western Sandpiper in Ashland this
>> > > morning. Awesome bird to study.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/wesa2012
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > If you have time for only a few, try these:
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/143555364
>> > >
>> > > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/143555359
>> > >
>> > > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady/image/143555366
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > It was a very shorebirdy day in Ashland. Good numbers of individuals,
>> > > lots of diversity. Birds were moving all the place amidst heavy rain
>> > > throughout much of day.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Ryan Brady
>> > > Washburn, Bayfield County, WI
>> > > http://www.pbase.com/rbrady ####################
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