ML36861921

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

It was terribly disappointing that others did not get to see or refind these birds due to a Peregrine Falcon flying in shortly after we found them. They disappeared after the Peregrine flew through and were not found again. (We initially reported these as Whimbrels as we lacked the confidence to call them Long-billed Curlews at the time. We thought, "Impossible. Folks will think we're crazy." Now, after much deliberation and confirmation of trusted birders, we have found the courage to report them as such.) You can see the two in this video we made and probably get a better look in the photos: They both had exceptionally long bills and the tall/large size and shape of the body of the Long-billed Curlew (versus Whimbrel). Even though they were at a great distance, we could see they weren't as dark as Whimbrels, but more buffy like the Curlew. Their bills weren't dark like the Whimbrels, either, but more pinkish and got dark farther out the bill like a Curlew. Also, of note: the bill appears constant and gradual throughout the whole length of the bill for the Curlew, like our birds. One a Whimbrel, the bill appears as a straight bill with a bent end - in other words, it decurves quickly. In a Curlew, the decurving of the bill is gradual. WOW!

Technical information

Dimensions

472 pixels x 286 pixels

Original file size

67.88 KB