| |
Bird Photos: Rarities: Buff-breasted Sandpiper
at Abbott's Lagoon
Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County,
CA
Buff-breasted Sandpiper was first reported at Abbott's
Lagoon on 9/4/04. A few days later, two of them were present and
provided an excellent photo opportunity. These rare birds to the
West Coast breed in the Arctic and migrate to Argentina to winter.
Adults primarily migrate south through central North America,
and the juveniles are the birds mostly found as vagrants on the
West and East coasts.
| |
 |
|
 |
|
I took these photos on 9/10/04,
the same day that I photographed a Ruff.
Superficially resembling a Ruff with its short bill, buffy
wash through the face and breast, scalloped wing coverts
and back feathers, and yellow legs, Buff-breasted Sandpipers
are much smaller (closer to the size of a Pectoral Sandpiper)
with a delicate pointy bill, shorter legs, and a shorter
neck.
They have a unique head and bill structure.
Their foreheads are relatively steep with a flat crown,
and their bills taper to a fine point, with the feathering
on the lower bill extending farther toward the tip than
on the upper bill, similar to a Cattle Egret. The dark eye
on a plain face is key. |
| |
|
|
|
This fuzzy image shows the two birds that were present. I've
examined my photos closely in an attempt to distinguish
between the two individuals. It appears that the one in
the back has darker centered coverts and scapulars. Despite
this feature which some field guides indicate as a mark
appropriate for an adult, it appears that both of these
birds are juveniles based on the lesser extent of the buffy
wash below the breast and the more contrasting whitish-edged
back feathers. I think most of my photos were of the individual
in front.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
This appears to be the same
individual as in the first image and the foreground bird
in the second image. I had at least three different "photo
sessions" with this species on this day, and I was
not keeping track of which individual I was photographing
at the time.
These sandpipers seem to have somewhat of
a brow, or an eye structure that points more downward. It
was difficult to get a shot with a highlight from the sun
in the eyes, a goal of some wildlife photographers.
The inset shows the color pattern of the
back, scapulars, and coverts of the juvenal plumage. |
| |
|
|
| This is an interesting "hunting"
posture that this bird employed. It's identical to what
Spotted Sandpipers and some shorebirds do just before they
lunge for an insect. By doing this, they may present a smaller
shape to the insect as the approach reducing the chance
of causing the insect to leave, and it may allow the bird
to coil and strike quickly.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
This back view of the bird
shows the conspicuous white edging to the back feathers
of the juvenal plumage. The unique bill shape and feathering
is also evident.
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANY
IMAGE WITHOUT ACQUIRING
PERMISSION TO DO SO. You may create links to these pages.
All images on this page are copyrighted by Les Chibana.
If you'd like to contact me about images on these pages,
grab the pigeon on the left and send a note. |
|
|
|
|
