ML617052801
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
This dowitcher was observed with yellowlegs and other shorebirds in the flooded field off Brownsville Rd. It was first observed while tucked into itself, which didn't lead me to investigate further since SBDOs are becoming more frequent in the area. After enjoying the PESAs, I quickly caught a glimpse of the dowitcher's exceptionally long bill. This warranted further investigation, which made me carefully go through the "Dowitcher Rules" by assessing the underwing and tail patterns, bill-to-head ratio, the slope of the lores and forehead, and any alternate plumage patterns. In general, the body structure and bill length suggest a LBDO or a female type SBDO (hendersoni). Features that suggest LBDO in some photos are the dark tail, light (less marked) underwing, and gradual loral angle between the bill and the eye. The alternate plumage along some of the coverts is not obviously seen in the photos. The vibrant orange bands and white-edged pearls on the alt covs lean towards LBDO in appearance and was difficult to confirm in the field. It should also be noted that this dowitcher inhabits a freshwater field, which is more characteristic of LBDO than SBDO, which prefers salt-oriented habitats for foraging. No calls heard.
Technical information
- Model
- Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- ISO
- 640
- Focal length
- 400 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/7.1
- Shutter speed
- 1/2000 sec
- Dimensions
- 767 pixels x 511 pixels
- Original file size
- 108.76 KB