Posted by Gary Potter (198.81.17.187) on June 07, 2001 at 22:09:22:
I've decided to stick my neck out on the Sandpiper which few have commented on. I don't think it is a Least based mainly on the thickness of the bill. The legs also seem too dark for Least, and the breast too white. The legs seem to light for either Western or Semipalmated, but this could be an artifact of the photo. I've never seen any of the Stints (although I did once see a couple of Semipalmated which I later decided could have also been Little or Red-necked Stint based on what I actually saw). In spite of my lack of experience with stints, I think that this bird may be one. The throat seems whitish, as does the middle of the breast. There also seems to be a few streaks on the sides of the breast. The greater coverts and scapulars seem to have rather prominent spade shaped markings, ant I think I can see prominent white lines on the back above the scapulars. All of these plumage characteristics seem to point to Little Stint. I also think that the bill size, shape, and droup with hint of a bulbous tip are within the range of Little Stint. I may be way off base, but perhaps this will draw further comments on this bird. -- Gary