ML477117101

Détails de l'observation

UPDATE: After much discussion and feedback from many experts, the ID of Common Redshank has been changed. This bird has been ID'd as a probable hybrid with Redshank parentage, likely a Common Redshank x Lesser Yellowlegs hybrid. This would be the first occurrence of such a hybridization. I am leaving the original write-up in the report below: On an Audubon Everglades trip into Duda Farms in Palm Beach County we found what we believe is a Common Redshank. The bird was first picked out by Steve Carbol as a possible Ruff. After getting the bird in my scope the first thing I noticed was just how incredibly bright red-orange the legs were on this bird, like nothing I had ever seen. While observing the bird in the field we noted the glaringly bright orange legs (which are really not done justice in the photos), a bicolored bill with similarly bright orange at the base and black towards the tip. We also noted the clean gray back, some gray on the breast, a light grey & white face, and some barring on the undertail. We believe we eliminated Spotted Redshank based on the birds size, bill length and bill coloring, with the bicoloration appearing to split midway down the bill, instead of mostly on the lower mandible in a Spotted. We got to watch the bird for 10 or so minutes with a few brief glimpses afterwards while we attempted to relocate it. While consulting with many other birders on the ID (thank you to Carl Edwards for facilitating many of those conversations), other initial impressions have been Spotted Redshank and a wonky Lesser Yellowlegs. For the reasons above, we’ve ruled those out. The bad news: Duda Farms is private, gated, farmland only accessible once or twice a year via scheduled trips through its partnership with Audubon Everglades. Duda Farms only granted access for one trip this year and currently has no plans to allow another, so unfortunately this bird is not chaseable. Photos.