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18 Comments

lspence02
lspence02 10 years ago

Upland sandpiper ?

1Sarah2
1Sarah2 12 years ago

I think it is clear that this is a tough one. The last one I ID'd as a willet was also very difficult. Having done a willet ID before, I already had some ideas on the birds to check. Having it in Michigan put a twist in it though!

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Sarah your link says its a Sandpiper too. I think I was not far away from this bird..!!
Thanks for shared link.

Atul
Atul 12 years ago
annorion
annorion 12 years ago

oops sorry Sarah didn't see your post before I posted.

annorion
annorion 12 years ago

The coloration of it's legs are different from the Stilt and it doesn't have that white line above the the eye.

1Sarah2
1Sarah2 12 years ago

The stilt sandpiper has greenish legs.

1Sarah2
1Sarah2 12 years ago

Agreed that it is a willet. Michigan is well within the range indicated of EOL. According to http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wille..., I'd agree that it is on its way to the breeding grounds even though it seems late. By the leg color, we can see that it is not the Greater Yellowleg or the Lesser YellowLeg which would be in this area. For the same reason, it is not the Short Billed Dowitcher - which might be a passer-by. The bill length and lack of noticable stripe from bill though the eye shows that this is not a Long Billed Dowitcher. Sorry for being longwinded.

KennethCox
KennethCox 12 years ago

"Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western America" does place the willet in that area during migration periods which, I think, is through August, but not positive. I know it appears like one, in all aspects, but size. It could be a juvenile. The marking are very similar.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Stilt sandpiper...?

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Like a Plover but bill is longer.

annorion
annorion 12 years ago

Oh and when I do use the allaboutbirds.org site I tend to search by taxonomy to help me rule out other similar birds.

annorion
annorion 12 years ago

Under that same link under life history it mentions 13-16inch for the Willet which is a bit smaller than the ring billed gull. We would have to know what they were using for comparison when saying "large". From the map it appears breeding is mostly in western states so he might just be passing through.

RachaelP
RachaelP 12 years ago

It looks like a willet, but annorion's link says it's a large bird. This bird is a bit smaller than a ring-billed gull. Plus, it was spotted in Southwest Michigan. It doesn't look like the willet resides there. (?) I'm far from a bird expert, so if you are certain it's a willet, I'd agree with you. I just thought you might like a bit more information. If you'd like to see the size of it compared to the gull, you can look at the ring-billed gull entry that I posted. This bird is up at the top left corner.

KennethCox
KennethCox 12 years ago

Agreed... I think it's a willet.

annorion
annorion 12 years ago

looks a bit bigger than a sanderling...maybe a Willet? http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wille...

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Sanderling...?

RachaelP
Spotted by
RachaelP

Michigan, USA

Spotted on Jul 16, 2011
Submitted on Jul 16, 2011

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