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Posted by Steve Walter on 16:30:17 04/19/11
In Reply to: Dowitcher posted by Hans
Ah, dowitchers. Can't tell you how many hours I've spent photographing them, studying pictures and field guides, listening to and talking to Kevin Karlson of "The Shorebird Guide" on this wonderful ID topic.
I was at Cutler April 9 and it was a treat to have an opportunity to photograph Long-billeds coming into breeding plumage. Although the build of one or two dowitchers seemed more in line with Short-billed, all the calls I heard were Long-billed. Without getting into ID fine points, the heavy barring on the breast sides that was seen in most individuals pointed to Long-billed. Also, the tail pattern of white bars not wider than the black (visible on Hans' picture) points to Long-billed.
I do have to question the color accuracy of Hans' picture (seems over-saturated). Even though it's a week later, I doubt they would have changed so much from April 9. See my picture at http://www.hmana.org/steve/cutler_dow.htm
Steve Walter
Bayside, NY
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