[VAGAbond]

Observed at Iona inner ponds April 5. I make these Short-billed but it seems early. Advice appreciated.


Short-billed Dowitcher by brian avent, on Flickr


Short-billed Dowitcher by brian avent, on Flickr

[BirdingBC]

I can't decide yet but I found some dowitcher field identification materials for discussion.

https://www.surfbirds.com/ID%20Articles ... chers.html

https://www.aba.org/birding/v38n5p34.pdf

Right now I am leaning to Short-billed but could be wrong.

[VAGAbond]

Here is a picture with a Long-billed (left) and a Short-billed (right), both juveniles. Note the marking on the coverts on the Short-billed and the relatively plain coverts on the Long-billed. I can't make the jump from there to birds in basic or perhaps early molt basic plumage but I though some might find this comparison interesting.


Dowitcher by brian avent, on Flickr