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Can you identify the two species pictured
above? The top shorebird is a Dunlin (Calidris alpina). The bottom
shorebird is a Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus). Note
longer bill and yellow legs of Short-billed Dowitcher. It also has
a more mottled appearance than the Dunlin, with scalloping along the
flanks. Dunlin's bill is droopy, it's legs are black, and body size
is smaller that that of the Short-billed Dowitcher. |
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Photo's by
Christine Kelly
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Shorebirds are notoriously difficult to identify, but with practice,
you can become a valuable asset to the Southern Atlantic Migratory
Bird Initiative. Consider the following distinguishing field marks:
bill length and shape, leg length, tail length, body shape (silhouette),
posture (upright or tilted?), foraging behavior (e.g., run or walk?),
leg color, plumage, and call.
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What Should I
do if I see a Banded Shorebird?
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| Report the sighting to the Office
of Migratory Bird Management at Patuxent Wildlife Research Station
(OMBM). They may only need a little bit of information, such as species,
date, and location. However, OMBM keeps track of all bird banding
studies, so they may be able to tell you who banded that so that you
can contact them. Most researchers appreciate these reports. However,
for your report to be useful, be sure to record the following information: |
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color band combination (note- a banded bird will have one aluminum
leg band)
* location (as specific as possible)
* date
* time
* condition (alive or dead)
* if alive, what was the bird doing (feeding, preening, roosting?) |
A color-banded Dunlin refuels during
migration. |
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