Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
August 9 - August 15, 2010
How to Identify:
On first glance, this is easily identified as a shorebird. From here, it gets a little more tricky. You can tell the bird is somewhat small so your first instinct might be to look at the small peeps. The lack of a down turned bill rules out Western Sandpiper and the black legs eliminates Least Sandpiper. The only small peep left would be Semipalmated but the coloration of the chest and head do not match with this species. Neither of the large peeps fit with this picture either. White-rumped Sandpiper would not show clean white underparts and the facial pattern and body shape are not that of a Baird’s Sandpiper.
Dunlin also does not quite match up with this picture either. The lack of a long down turned bill eliminates this species from consideration. This picture does match up very well with Sanderling. The body shape, overall gray coloration, short straight black bill, and black legs all point towards this species. Thanks to Chad Williams for the use of this photograph.
Answer: Sanderling
Photo Location: Florida
Photo Date: July 2010
Correct Answers:
Catherine Ripma, Zionsville, IN
Su Snyder, Wooster, OH
Other Answers:
Western Sandpiper - 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 1
Dunlin - 1