Posted by David LaPuma on December 10, 2003 at 12:05:35:
In Reply to: What Say You? Part 2 posted by Paul on December 07, 2003 at 16:09:44:
Just another note on your question to Robin regarding how she would "list" this sighting. Regardless of what this bird actually is (maybe it's a Dodo in disguise), since you haven't been able to come to terms with it being a Black-bellied Plover, and all of your requests for information on this photo have responded contrary to your beliefs, your best bet is to list it as Pluvalis sp., stick it on the BVD list (that's Better View Desired, not Tighty Whities), and enjoy the bird for what it is- beautiful. In the future, I'm sure you'll be paying much closer attention to the field characteristics that would help differentiate between the Pluvalis species, and THAT is the importance of this discussion thus far. Of course, you could call it a European Golden Plover and be the first in Florida to have it on your state list...but I have a feeling you'd become as uncomfortable about your list as you do about this bird being a Black Bellied Plover.
Unfortunately, although photographs can lead to a positive ID and clarification of some foggy notions, they are heavily influenced my many factors and leave much to the imagination (hence a picture being worth 1000 words!)
Okay...I'm up to four cents now, time to retire.
David