Sandpiper or sanderling in Southern California (1 Viewer)

[SheriDi]

I used to think that trying to distinguish one sparrow from the other was the most difficult part of learning to id birds. I've stumbled on a group that may be more difficult :C

After many hours of looking at pictures I'm still stumped. Maybe if I had a reference to know how big they are it would be easier, but then again maybe not. My totally uneducated guesses on both arre #1 Sanderling and #2 Western Sandpiper. If I'm way off could you give me a hint as to what I missed or should be looking for?

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

On number one you can see a hindclaw, which Sanderling doesn't have. I think this is a Western Sandpiper.

Two shows yellow legs, which a Western Sandpiper doesn't have. So I think this is a Least Sandpiper.

 

[Mark Harper]

A couple of things to look at the hind toe on number 1, Sanderlings always lack this, I would say Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Number 2 look at the leg colour, Western would be black, I would say Least Sandpiper.

 

[Mark Harper]

On number one you can see a hindclaw, which Sanderling doesn't have. I think this is a Western Sandpiper.

Two shows yellow legs, which a Western Sandpiper doesn't have. So I think this is a Least Sandpiper.

Good to see we agree on the second, I debated the bill on the first for a while and plumped for Semipalmated, but was not 100% convinced.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Good to see we agree on the second, I debated the bill on the first for a while and plumped for Semipalmated, but was not 100% convinced.

It's not very long but seems quite thin tipped. I think Western would also be a lot more likely in California.

 

[emupilot]

It's not very long but seems quite thin tipped. I think Western would also be a lot more likely in California.

99% of peeps in California are Least or Western, and most of the rest are Baird's. We're pretty safe just identifying these guys by leg color, in this case a Western and a Least.

 

[Jane Turner]

The bill is short, but its quite fine tipped, droppy and not overly broad-based - which would favour Western (over Semi-P) geographical arguments aside. The legs don't look very long though.

 

[joannec]

I agree that legs look short and rocky shore would favour Western, wouldn't it? Can't tell size from the picture but Sanderling is bigger than Western, you should be able to tell on that. Second pic is Least Sandpiper.

 

[emupilot]

Even without examining the first bird's toes, it also lacks the black patch normally visible in the shoulder of a Sanderling. Rocky habitat is also a relatively unlikely place to find a Sanderling.

 

[Jane Turner]

Here are some Sanderling on rocky shores... all are missing their hind toes.

http://www.bigcountryaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/Sanderling_IMG_4974_cr.jpg
http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/animals/sanderlingNB.jpg
http://www.capebretonbirds.ca/sanderling16.jpg
http://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/cbc/0266sanderlingCS.JPG
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/conte...le_greve_wildlife_3806_sanderling_470x352.jpg

 

[SheriDi]

Well I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one struggling with these!

 

[emupilot]

Sigh... yes, Sanderlings are sometimes found on rocks but sandy beaches are their more typical habitat. I just think it's pretty silly to identify them by their toes when their distinctive shape, behavior, general coloration and typical habitat are enough to identify them without binoculars 95% of the time. One doesn't always (or even usually) get a good enough view to examine a bird's toes.

Here are some Sanderling on rocky shores... all are missing their hind toes.

http://www.bigcountryaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/Sanderling_IMG_4974_cr.jpg
http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/animals/sanderlingNB.jpg
http://www.capebretonbirds.ca/sanderling16.jpg
http://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/cbc/0266sanderlingCS.JPG
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/conte...le_greve_wildlife_3806_sanderling_470x352.jpg

 

[birderbf]

I see a Western Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper. The least is pretty straightforward with the leg color and darker mantle feathers. The head is all wrong for Sanderling, as tgis bird retains a ghost of a Western Sandpiper's reddish cheek. The beak is also wrong for Sanderling, and is better for Western/Semi. And of course, the back toe crosses Sanderling off the list again. Semi is much less common in California at any time of year. And all the marks line up to Western for me.

 

[jcwings]

It's not very long but seems quite thin tipped. I think Western would also be a lot more likely in California.

Especially after early October when Semi's are nearly gone. They are quite rare by the end of the month in CA.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I agree the bill is wrong for semi. Looks good for western to me.

 

[doug_newman]

I saw the longish bill with the fine drooping tip and immediately thought Western.