[TN-Bird] Interesting Dowitcher (photos)

From: Michael Todd <birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: TN Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:06:10 -0700
Friends,

For those with an interest in shorebird identification (or just like being 
frustrated at times...:") I've placed a few photos of a silent adult Dowitcher 
seen at Ensley on Saturday. Initially I had called this bird a Long-billed, for 
a couple of reasons I will mention, but have a couple of questions about this 
bird, so retracting that to Dowitcher sp for the time being. I've already had a 
differing opinion from a very well respected peer...

This bird has fully completed the molt to basic plumage, at least as far as the 
head and body goes. I've seen very few adult Dowitchers in TN during the fall 
that have completed this molt; good number well on the way, but not completed, 
and they were all Long-billed. Long-billed is known to complete the molt to 
basic at stopover points on the way south, whereas while Short-billed will 
start the molt, generally thought to finish it on the wintering grounds, and 
many adult Short-billed undergo very little molt until reaching the winter 
grounds. Active molt in the flight feathers is a great way to tell, Long-billed 
will molt flight feathers during migration, but Short-billed wait til the 
wintering grounds. 


I've placed 5 photos of this bird, with some notes, in a gallery on my Pbase 
page. Of course, be interested in any comments anyone had about the bird, 
especially if you have seen a full basic Short-billed in the fall in the 
interior. This doesn't apply to the coastal wintering areas of Short-billed, 
where adults can be well on the way to basic by August. Basic Dowitchers can 
often be sorted out pretty well using a combination of several characters, but 
some birds like this do show some conflicting things; the joys of Dowitcher 
identification! Look at enough photos, and you will find birds that show just 
about everything that is supposed to be good for the other one...Luckily, most 
of the time the majority of clues lead you one way or the other, though they 
can be subjective from one observer to another as well.


Will get the rest of the photos from the very enjoyable day I had Saturday up 
soon.

http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/interesting_dowitcher

Good Birding!!

Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.pbase.com/mctodd
[TN-Bird] Interesting Dowitcher (photos)

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