Nikon November Facebook Quiz
GiveMany of you are probably thinking, well this is obviously a Willet, but my experience tells me that in the field this may not be as easy for some. We know this is a shorebird from long-wading legs and long, thin bill. However, with no other bird in the picture to make the comparative size distinction this becomes a little bit harder. The only birds that fit in the relative description as we would give it from the photo above would be Stilt Sandpiper, Yellowlegs and Willets.
I can tell you that Stilt Sandpipers are much daintier overall and have a long, very thin and slightly decurved bills. Also, I have rarely seen Stilts hanging out on top of fence posts! However, this doesn't mean they don't do it!
Yellowlegs, like this Greater Yellowlegs above, show a thin, nearly all black bill. They have clear yellow legs in all seasons are a have a more fragile appearance when compared next to, well, Willets. This Greater Yellowlegs would be far larger than a Stilt Sandpiper, by the way. Given the characteristics we just went over the quiz bird is most certainly a Willet. That bird was photographed with a Nikon D3s and a 200-400 VR AF-S ED Nikkor lens in Galveston, TX last April. So, it's a Willet...ho-hum, right? Not so fast people! What subspecies are we looking at?
Both Western and Eastern Willets show different morphological characteristics, different breeding ranges and different wintering ranges. The western birds breed inland in the Great Plains and the eastern birds breed strictly on the eastern coast and the gulf coast of the United States. Now, the western birds winter on the Gulf Coast while the eastern birds flee for southern South America. In migration, both can be found on the Texas gulf coast.
Western Willets are typically 20% larger and that applies to body, bill and legs. Their coloration is a far more grayer cast with the eastern birds being brownish. The bird in question is coming into breeding plumage showing the markings on the flanks and some dark spotting on the coverts. Western Willets (in breeding) have always looked far more marked-up and Eastern Willets tend to look more dingy and maybe even, smoother to a degree. Our quiz Willet shows a rather thick and clearly multi-colored bill which hints at Eastern Willet. Western birds have thinner, longer and darker bills. I remember when I photographed this bird that I though it looked big, but the legs are relatively short thus making me believe it's identity is in fact, an Eastern Willet. From the buzz I hear in the bird world these two will eventually be split into two distinct species.
I can tell you that Stilt Sandpipers are much daintier overall and have a long, very thin and slightly decurved bills. Also, I have rarely seen Stilts hanging out on top of fence posts! However, this doesn't mean they don't do it!
Yellowlegs, like this Greater Yellowlegs above, show a thin, nearly all black bill. They have clear yellow legs in all seasons are a have a more fragile appearance when compared next to, well, Willets. This Greater Yellowlegs would be far larger than a Stilt Sandpiper, by the way. Given the characteristics we just went over the quiz bird is most certainly a Willet. That bird was photographed with a Nikon D3s and a 200-400 VR AF-S ED Nikkor lens in Galveston, TX last April. So, it's a Willet...ho-hum, right? Not so fast people! What subspecies are we looking at?
Both Western and Eastern Willets show different morphological characteristics, different breeding ranges and different wintering ranges. The western birds breed inland in the Great Plains and the eastern birds breed strictly on the eastern coast and the gulf coast of the United States. Now, the western birds winter on the Gulf Coast while the eastern birds flee for southern South America. In migration, both can be found on the Texas gulf coast.
Western Willets are typically 20% larger and that applies to body, bill and legs. Their coloration is a far more grayer cast with the eastern birds being brownish. The bird in question is coming into breeding plumage showing the markings on the flanks and some dark spotting on the coverts. Western Willets (in breeding) have always looked far more marked-up and Eastern Willets tend to look more dingy and maybe even, smoother to a degree. Our quiz Willet shows a rather thick and clearly multi-colored bill which hints at Eastern Willet. Western birds have thinner, longer and darker bills. I remember when I photographed this bird that I though it looked big, but the legs are relatively short thus making me believe it's identity is in fact, an Eastern Willet. From the buzz I hear in the bird world these two will eventually be split into two distinct species.
This Eastern Willet in flight shows the dark axillaries and black and white wing paneling that all Willets do.
Nikon thanks everyone who took part in this quiz and those who are reading. We will be posting a monthly quiz at the beginning of each month on Facebook so come check us out under Nikon Birding. Cheers and good birding!
Nikon thanks everyone who took part in this quiz and those who are reading. We will be posting a monthly quiz at the beginning of each month on Facebook so come check us out under Nikon Birding. Cheers and good birding!
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