I returned to the river today and was able to get some more pictures, this time of a solitary bird teetering on top of the lilypads:
Let me know what you think of my ID. The turning point came when I got to step 11 in my methodology: the National Geographic Birder's Journal. Sometimes it takes getting a fresh perspective to be able to see the way. Then I returned to my Sibley Guide to see his description of the Spotted Sandpiper that's when I picked up on the yellow bill notation in Sibley's description. Aside from the spots on the body, that was one of the most distinguishable characteristics and somehow I had missed it on my first pass through the book.
3 comments:
Your ID is "spot" on. Sorry, I couldn't resist :)
This is one bird where behavior is at least as good a field mark as plumage. Spotted's constantly bob their back ends, like a waterthrush.
Thanks Grant. Yes- the spots were very distinguishing, along with the teetering. It was especially noticeable on the lily pads, and fun to watch.
Yes-I actually saw the spots on photo two.-There is one particular stage of molt when the bird has a bright orange bill and spots but in one of the molts they look similar to a Solitary.
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