A Few New Species

TheNevadanStig · May 2, 2014

Went on a two-day binge the past couple of days and was able to get about 6 or 7 new species. I could use a hand with the ID's on some of these.

Northern Shoveler:

009 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

No idea on these:

409 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

I believe this is a great-tailed grackle:

228 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

No clue on this one:

137 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

No Clue again:

095 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

Again No Clue:

164 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

nzmacro · May 3, 2014

We have a bird that flies into NZ on a migration path of thousands of miles and its a Godwit Jason. I only have a rare few shots of them ...... three to be exact and that's what they look like. Not sure on what exactly you have, but its looks like a Godwit on shots 2, but I could be wrong as well with what you have. Fine shots as well BTW. No idea on the others, but really like the look of those small ones, very nice to see.

All the best Jason and all great shots.

Danny.

baturn · May 3, 2014

#2 and#4 look like Short-billed Dowitchers. I think #5 is a Marsh Wren. Can't help with the last.

sm4him · May 3, 2014

I agree with Marsh Wren on #5, though I've never seen one--but it looks like the picture in my field guide.

I am really NOT so good with shorebird ID (living in TN, we only get migrating shorebirds; not a lot of opportunity to learn them!)
but I'm gonna say #2 could be either a Stilt Sandpiper or a Dowitcher (there's Long-billed and Short-billed, but the Short-billed one still has a pretty long bill. Odd.)
I'd rule out Godwit on that one, because of those greenish-looking legs.

#4, wow. Only thing harder than shorebird ID for me is a SWIMMING shorebird, so you can't see its legs. *could* be a greater or lesser yellowlegs, although they usually have more of a white streak on their face. Still, the picture of a breeding Greater YL looks somewhat like that. Not too sure, though.

#6. It's a Flycatcher of some sort, so start there and look for flycatchers with yellow bellies and relatively short bills. Do you have any pics where you can see the eye a little better, to tell whether there is a white eyering or anything, or pics of the tail? Or in flight? Any of those could help narrow things down. I'm gonna go with Western Kingbird.

Nice photos of all of them! Shorebirds can be pretty tough, at least around here, to get good shots of; they're really sensitive to any movement.

CourtSC · May 3, 2014

I agree with #2 being the short billed Dowitcher! I am pretty sure that the last one is some sort of Kingbird....either Couch, Western or Tropical....it's hard to distinguish without seeing other details! Great shots!!! I love birding!

TheNevadanStig · May 3, 2014

sm4him said:
I agree with Marsh Wren on #5, though I've never seen one--but it looks like the picture in my field guide.

I am really NOT so good with shorebird ID (living in TN, we only get migrating shorebirds; not a lot of opportunity to learn them!)
but I'm gonna say #2 could be either a Stilt Sandpiper or a Dowitcher (there's Long-billed and Short-billed, but the Short-billed one still has a pretty long bill. Odd.)
I'd rule out Godwit on that one, because of those greenish-looking legs.

#4, wow. Only thing harder than shorebird ID for me is a SWIMMING shorebird, so you can't see its legs. *could* be a greater or lesser yellowlegs, although they usually have more of a white streak on their face. Still, the picture of a breeding Greater YL looks somewhat like that. Not too sure, though.

#6. It's a Flycatcher of some sort, so start there and look for flycatchers with yellow bellies and relatively short bills. Do you have any pics where you can see the eye a little better, to tell whether there is a white eyering or anything, or pics of the tail? Or in flight? Any of those could help narrow things down. I'm gonna go with Western Kingbird.

Nice photos of all of them! Shorebirds can be pretty tough, at least around here, to get good shots of; they're really sensitive to any movement.

If you have trouble with shore birds, try living in the middle of the desert! :lol:

I did almost get #6 in flight. Its a horrible picture, but it might just be enough to at least help with an ID.

From what I can see in the pictures I did get, I'm 90% sure there is no ring around the eye.

I swear if there was a market for blurry pictures of the ass end of animals, I'd be set for life.