ML644343924

Observation details

Immediately interesting based on the date, and became even more so once I noticed an especially long bill. After watching the bird for about 15 minutes, I was confident the thick-based, tapering bill was more than "long enough" (and droopy/decurved enough). With this, in combination with perceived slightly larger size than SESA/slightly longer black legs, more hunched feeding posture based on this structural difference, very white underparts, lower scapulars apparently showing anchor pattern, and visible rufous in upper scapulars (despite messy active moult), I eliminated SESA. My hesitation was due to the moult, as I struggled to age the bird... first prebasic? This individual also showed a prominent white supercilium. I have to pick through some digiscope videos and a couple shots I managed of the bird in flight for my best supporting media; photos forthcoming.