ML331483561

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

This bird is about twice the bulk of nearby Least Sandpipers and about one-third longer (one photo show it with a Least for comparison). It is almost precisely half-way in size between Least and Pectoral. Its long wings, which project beyond the tail, give it a long-bodied appearance. It does not have spots on the sides or flanks. Its bill is moderately long and straight, except for a slight droop in the distal half, and it is not noticeably thicker at the base like in Western. Its legs (beneath the coating of mud) are black. It is molting into alternate plumage. There is no hint of rufous in the crown, auriculars, or scapulars. In flight, it did not have white uppertail coverts, which are so conspicuous in White-rumped, nor did any other birds in this small flock of peeps. The only species that exhibits this combination of characters is Baird’s Sandpiper. We heard it call in flight, and Mathew insists it sounded like Baird’s. My hearing, however, is no longer good enough for me to be confident that it was different enough to be Baird’s. I defer to Mathew on this.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

100

Focal length

107 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/7.1

Shutter speed

1/250 sec

Dimensions

1544 pixels x 1158 pixels

Original file size

570.16 KB