Posted by Matthew Kenne (209.163.4.147) on December 16, 2000 at 17:39:55:
In Reply to: Yellowlegs posted by Steven Mlodinow on December 16, 2000 at 10:55:02:
:I have never seen any difference in primary projection between L and G Yellowlegs and can not appreciate any difference in the photos I looked at.
I think there may be a difference, based on a couple of field guides (and therefore specimens?), not photos. I'm just not sure what that difference is! Hayman's Shorebirds plate shows both yellowlegs with similar primary projection beyond the tip of the tail, but the tertials are depicted longer on Greater- almost reaching the tail tip. Sibley, on the other hand, shows the tertials stopping at approximately the same spot on the tail on both yellowlegs. Conversely, the primary projection beyond the tip of the tail on Sibley's Lesser Yellowlegs is longer than that of the Greater. So, are we left with a rather similar net result between the two artists based on fact, or a big coincidence?
Either way, I think this is a awkward photo angle from which to be judging.