CLOSED: Shore bird I.D. help needed.

I photographed this shore bird in a tidal salt marsh at Homer, AK, on the Kenai Peninsula, yesterday.

Grey Plover (a.k.a. Black-bellied Plover), just starting moult from winter plumage to summer plumage.

Resin

Thanks Resin. I had considered the possibility of a Black-bellied Plover, there were several in the same area, but the others were in full breeding plumage, so I had serious doubts.
Gary

As I read thru the postings and threads thruout DG I am constantly struck by the vast knowledge and candor of some of the experts who ALWAYS seem to know exactly where to be and what the answer is. I'm lucky if I can tell you the boiling point of H2O or that flowers come in all colors and then some. I refer especially to those of the TX gardening forum such as htop, frostweed, to mention just a couple and to Resin who has never met a bird he/she (?) couldn't identify. I stand of awe of all of you! There are many more out there whose knowledge is the basis of what keeps DG what it is. Then there are those who thinly mask their knowledge under a veneer of pure happiness and laughter. They are happy to be alive yet I think they aren't aware of how smart they really are or how they help the rest of us. Thank each and every one of you for your input. I'm sure that there are many here who feel the same way.

Ann

Hi Gary - there's some variation in moult time between individuals, with older birds and males moulting earlier than younger birds and females. First-summer birds (one year old) don't get black bellies at all. With the rest in full summer plumage, probability would suggest this one might be a second-year female, but not definitely so.


That's easy, 100°! Just stick to logical measurement systems like Celsius, and there's no difficulties! The problems only come with that preposterous Fahrenheit nonsense (I have no idea what it is in that either).

I've seen plenty of birds I couldn't identify!!

Resin