Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
March 23-29, 2009
How to Identify:
This bird should be easily recognizable as a species of shorebird. The long bill rules out almost all of the species. The combination of a long, straight bill, white eyebrow, pale legs, and overall gray appearance should limit the possibilities to the two species of Dowichers, Short-billed and Long-billed. The overall gray appearance of this bird makes it an adult in nonbreeding plumage. Shape is much more important in Dowitcher identification than it is in almost any other bird identification. The first thing to look at is the bill shape. The Short-billed’s bill is slightly decurved while the Long-billed’s bill is very straight. The positioning of the eye is also an important field mark to look at. The Long-billed’s eye is much higher on the head (above the upper mandible) than the Short-billed’s (close to even with the upper mandible. The tail pattern is also important and can be seen to some degree in this photo. Both species have a zebra patterned tail but the Short-billed has thicker white striping than black striping and the Long-billed has thicker black striping than white striping.
Answer: Short-billed Dowitcher
Photo Location: Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Photo Date: March 2009