Posted by Phil Pickering (208.46.229.118) on January 16, 2001 at 17:12:24:
The peak to the hindcrown on Lesser mentioned by Alvaro is a mark I wasn't familiar with, but after viewing a couple dozen photos it seems to be remarkably consistent. Even Lessers with hunched posture show much more of a squared-off hindcrown and steeper angle to the back of the head than is apparent here - a structural clue strongly favoring Greater.
Also, I think the key 'jizz' mark I was having a hard time pinning down is probably the body/head proportions. Greaters are a bit smaller headed compared to their large bodies than Lesser, and this bird seems small headed relative to it's seemingly wide, chunky body. In other words, it seems proportionately perfect for Greater in this respect, and too 'large-bodied' for Lesser.
Looking at more photos also reinforced the feeling that the bill is too long and thick-based for a Lesser, particularly a juvenile.
Tringa trip-up!!
Cheers,
Phil