Sunday, July 8, 2012

From Ruff to Funky - What Peep?...

Least Sandpiper in transitional plumage or??  I spotted this peep on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge today, not long after I found my first of the year Stilt Sandpiper. A few of us, including Seth Asubel, Phil Jeffery and Heydi Lopes began working through the field marks.

Initially it looked bigger than the nearby Least Sandpipers, but after studying it for a while we concluded it was comparable in size to a Least. Despite leaning towards Least, we were puzzled at the "buffiness" of the bird. Here are a few photos. What are you thoughts?

UPDATE: 7-10-12 The initial assessment of Calidris minutilla Least Sandpiper stands! Despite the aberrant plumage - the structure, virtually no primary extension and dark centers in the scapulars hold consistently for Least. Thanks to all who weighed in with their input especially Seth Asubel and Shai Mitra.








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4 comments:

  1. Seagull SteveJuly 8, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    That is a strange color, but its certainly shaped right for a Least....leucism maybe?

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  2. Angad AchappaJuly 9, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    Lovely set of images... :)

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  3. BIRDINGDUDEJuly 17, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    @ Seagull Steve - good eye! Yes, despite our efforts to turn it into something along the rare side we unfortunately had to settle for Least. Odd plumage indeed...almost bleached to quote birder, Isaac Grant.

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  4. BIRDINGDUDEJuly 17, 2012 at 11:28 PM

    @Angad - thanks bro for visiting! Hoping a visit your way is in the near future.

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