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Posted by Rafael A. Galvez on 23:10:47 03/28/10
In Reply to: Re: BAR-TAILED GODWIT, ENP (Flamingo) posted by Rock Jetty
I can clearly remember back in Nov of 2000 with David La Puma and Michelle Davis, looking over some pictures Dave took of a Bar-tailed Godwit that "just happened to be out" on Snake Bight and thinking - "What...?"
Then David calls me a few days ago and asks me to hook up with Doug coming down from NY (and apparently slips a Bar-tailed Godwit into the mix).
Great find Doug!
Amidst Willets and Marbled Godwits, this Bar-tailed is more likely to be confused with a Willet at first glance due to its size and overall grayish coloring - especially if it keeps its bill tucked into its back (pic 0241). Note the absence of warm tones on the body plumage.
When compared directly to nearby Marbleds, the Bar-tailed is significantly smaller in body length, bill length and leg length. The bill of this bird, as expected of a first-Spring Bar-tailed, is pink only 30% from the base, the rest quickly fading to dark towards the tip. In contrast, the bills of Marbled Godwits are typically 50% or more pink, starting at the base.
Note the bird s short-legged appearance and horizontal stance (pic 0304) typical of Bar-tailed Godwit.
Additionally, note the spotted mantle and scapular plumage compared to the striped plumage of Marbled. A substantial amount of wear is clear throughout this individual Bar-tailed s uppers a number of the outermost juvenile scapulars are missing, exposing a row a lesser coverts and grayer pattern-less subscapulars (which under close scrutiny also appear to show wear).
Note the bar tailed!
High tide is the way to go.
See ya all at Flamingo tomorrow.
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