stint or sanderling? (1 Viewer)

[Paul Collins]

Hi,

I photographed this wading bird among a small party of 6 on the beach at Rye (Kent) in early September. The photo is massively cropped, because I couldn't upload the original (it was too big). I initially thought that the birds were sanderling, but now I've been told that the bird here is a little stint. Is it a stint?



thanks,
Paul

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Sanderling - nice photo

 

[BobTag]

Absolutely Marcus, a nice, fresh crisp juvenile Sanderling. Note the lack of a hind toe on the left leg (as you look at the photo).

 

[JANJ]

..and compare with juv. Little Stint:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=18411

Janj

 

[halftwo]

Note the lack of a hind toe on the left leg (as you look at the photo).

Or, if you're looking from the other side: the right leg.

 

[Paul Collins]

thanks everyone.

It's just that I entered the original, uncropped picture in a competition, and it came runner-up, but the judges were thinking that it was a stint. Don't want them to get it wrong!

 

[Paul Collins]

Here's another cropped pic. Doesn't this look like the bird has a hind toe?

 

[timwootton]

It looks like it, yes - but what you're seeing is the outer toe of its left foot (the foot is splayed).

 

[HH75]

Agree with juvenile Sanderling. These really are smart, crisp, 'black and white' looking birds, with none of the rufous tones seen on juvenile Little Stint. Also note the diagnostic 'trident' shaped black centres to the scapulars (the feathers visible on much of the back).