Show your Bird Portraits

[Don Haines]

Does anyone know what this bird is?

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

 

[jrista]

Does anyone know what this bird is?

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

For reference, here are a couple shots of these birds. First is Bairds, second is Least:

 

[Loswr]

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

Actually, you did say Baird's, before the edit.

But I'm inclined to agree that it's a least sandpiper.

 

[jrista]

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

Actually, you did say Baird's, before the edit.

But I'm inclined to agree that it's a least sandpiper.

I took a closer look at the legs, which looked gray at first. Given that they are yellow, definitely not Baird's. And it was "almost"...I did edit.

 

[Don Haines]

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

Actually, you did say Baird's, before the edit.

But I'm inclined to agree that it's a least sandpiper.

I took a closer look at the legs, which looked gray at first. Given that they are yellow, definitely not Baird's. And it was "almost"...I did edit.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Harv]

Does anyone know what this bird is?

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

I'm pretty sure it's a Least Sandpiper, although I'm surprised to see it that far south at this time of year. It's a bit early for the fall migration to have started.

 

[jrista]

Does anyone know what this bird is?

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

I'm pretty sure it's a Least Sandpiper, although I'm surprised to see it that far south at this time of year. It's a bit early for the fall migration to have started.

It's been pretty cold to the north this year. I wouldn't be surprised if birds start migrating a little sooner. I don't expect to see migrants until September myself, but it could be earlier in September than normal.

 

[jrista]

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

Actually, you did say Baird's, before the edit.

But I'm inclined to agree that it's a least sandpiper.

I took a closer look at the legs, which looked gray at first. Given that they are yellow, definitely not Baird's. And it was "almost"...I did edit.

Thanks!!!!!

If you like birds, the best app purchase I ever made was Sibley's Bird Guide for mobile phones. It has some extensive information on how to identify birds, and has a huge catalog of over 800 species native to north america (and some very rare visitors from other continents.) It was what I used when I first identified the Least Sandpiper in the photo I linked.

 

[Click]

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

Very nice shot Don. Well done.

 

[IslanderMV]

Does anyone know what this bird is?

It's tiny, just a bit bigger than a chickadee, and there were two of them on the sand at the edge of the Ottawa river, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It would use it's beak to quickly probe the sand.

It is a Least Sandpiper juvenile. I photographed one here on the 9th. ( Confirmed by local bird experts, and a new early arrival record for the area) My pict is almost identical to yours - it is spooky.

 

[Loswr]

If you like birds, the best app purchase I ever made was Sibley's Bird Guide for mobile phones. It has some extensive information on how to identify birds, and has a huge catalog of over 800 species native to north america (and some very rare visitors from other continents.) It was what I used when I first identified the Least Sandpiper in the photo I linked.

+1 - it's how I knew it wasn't a Baird's.

 

[ejenner]

I'm really in awe of the photos on here, especially the Hummingbirds over the last few pages. And the Osprey.

So far this is the best I've done with an action shot. A Cooper's Hawk in Downtown Denver. It flung the squirrel off a tree trunk which gave me just enough time to point the camera and take a burst as it was going in for the kill.

Second one and third are the Hawk after stashing it's kill.

 

[Don Haines]

I'm inclined to say it is a Least Sandpiper, which is the smallest of the shorebirds (and only slightly larger than a Chickadee). I almost said Baird's, however they have dark gray legs, and are slightly larger...and have maybe a slightly longer bill.

Actually, you did say Baird's, before the edit.

But I'm inclined to agree that it's a least sandpiper.

There were two yesterday and about 20 today.... I checked my bird books again and they are about the first of the migrating birds to pass through here.

 

[Don Haines]

I believe this one is a Greater Yellowlegs...

 

[jrista]

I believe this one is a Greater Yellowlegs...

Aye, Greater Yellowlegs. Key differences are the slightly larger size, and the longer, slightly upturned bill on the greater. Really good shots, Don. Nice, close up, sharp and detailed. I can't wait till these beauties start migrating through Colorado again.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Ah, since we're on the topic here's one I shot in April I thought was a lesser yellowlegs but I'm being told it's not. Any idea?

It's a fair sized bird maybe about the size of a Canadian robin.

Jack

 

[Don Haines]

Ah, since we're on the topic here's one I shot in April I thought was a lesser yellowlegs but I'm being told it's not. Any idea?

It's a fair sized bird maybe about the size of a Canadian robin.

Jack

One of the defining characteristics of the greater and lesser yellowlegs is "bright yellow legs". My shot above has no colour corrections or adjustments made to it, the legs really are that yellow....

Could yours be a solitary sandpiper? Where did you see it? What part of the world and what habitat? It would make it easier to ID.

 

[jthomson]

Ah, since we're on the topic here's one I shot in April I thought was a lesser yellowlegs but I'm being told it's not. Any idea?

It's a fair sized bird maybe about the size of a Canadian robin.

Jack

I'd go with solitary sandpiper as well.

 

[AlanF]

Ah, since we're on the topic here's one I shot in April I thought was a lesser yellowlegs but I'm being told it's not. Any idea?

It's a fair sized bird maybe about the size of a Canadian robin.

Jack

Jack
It's a green sandpiper. I took a photo of one with a little egret and a dragonfly on Sunday. Guess which is which?

 

[serendipidy]

Ah, since we're on the topic here's one I shot in April I thought was a lesser yellowlegs but I'm being told it's not. Any idea?

It's a fair sized bird maybe about the size of a Canadian robin.

Jack

Jack
It's a green sandpiper. I took a photo of one with a little egret and a dragonfly on Sunday. Guess which is which?

Cool shot, Alan 8)