Posted by Matthew Kenne (209.163.4.143) on May 11, 2001 at 21:39:11:
I can count the number of live Western Sandpipers I've seen on one hand, but here's my two cents worth: I think the bird looks quite Western-like for a Semipalmated Sandpiper. The bill is a bit long and drooped, but it doesn't seem tapered enough for me. It still looks like a tubular Semi bill even though it has a little kink to it. I'm not sure if those upper scapulars are missing or just photographed on edge. The lower scaps are short, wide, and rounded as on a Semi. Western scaps appear narrower and more pointed. Does the point of the "anchor" mark on the scapulars cut through the pale fringe to reach the edge of the feather more often on one species or the other? That might be of help. Also, the pale edging below the dark "anchors" seem too wide for Western. Their fringe should look thinner and more uniform. The same goes for the coverts. Even though faded and worn, these wing coverts were obviously widely edged when fresh, an indication of Semipalmated. I cede the point that the face of this bird is very pale, with the upper half of the eye-ring barely apparent like on a Western, but I'm going with a trick Semipalmated.