Odd Snipe (1 Viewer)

[DHayden]

Hi all

I photographed an unusual snipe associating with Wilson's Snipes here in Washington State, USA. The bird is definitely paler than the Wilson's and slightly smaller. My guess is a pale runt Wilson's, but others have suggested it could be a Pin-tailed Snipe which would be a very rare vagrant. The photos are not the best quality due to the distance the birds were at, and the bird might not even be identifiable, since I don't have a clean tail picture.
Here's a link to my E-bird, and the pictures all under the Wilson's Snipe.

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S201198520

Any thoughts would be great. Just want to make sure I get the correct ID.

Thanks
Dave Hayden
Centralia WA
dtvhm AT nwrain DOT com

 

[johnallcock]

Based on the features I would use here (in Hong Kong) to distinguish Pin-tailed/Swinhoe's from Common Snipe, it doesn't look like Pin-tailed/Swinhoe's to me - for example broad dark loral stripe, dark cheek bar, long bill, long tail and broad yellow 'tramlines' along the back.

If you're considering vagrants, I guess Common could be a possibility but I have no idea how you would ID that from Wilson's. Like you suggested, an unusual Wilson's is the most likely explanation.

 

[njlarsen]

for discussion of Common vs Wilson:

A Discussion of Common Snipe vs Wilson's Snipe

Snipe ID: Cmmon Snipe vs Wilson's Snipe

birdingnewfoundland.blogspot.com

Niels

 

[Southern Frogmouth]

If I saw the small bird in Britain I would certainly be interested in it as a potential Wilson's Snipe. Although underwing and tail pattern would be needed to confirm it over here the underparts and scapulars look good for Wilson's in my opinion so a runt Wilson's looks to be the most likely conclusion.