Ron — there are two photographs. The second one is clearly not a “peep” so could not be a Western. The bill on the first one, which is a “peep”, looks too short and not decurved at the tip enough to be a Western. There is certainly some variation, as I relearn every year, but what are you seeing that suggests Western? So, similar to Dave Pace’s question.
Scott
Dave & Brenda — for both your (and everyone’s) challenges with Peeps and Flycatchers I recommend Ken Kaufman’s books on Advanced Birding. They have chapters on both. He has two different books with similar titles which are slightly different — but both cover these two challenges.
Scott
The first one looks like a Least Sandpiper — they have yellow legs which I don’t see here but it could be because of the lighting. But the bill shape and chest plumage say Least to me. And ithas the overall compact “peep” profile. The second I believe is a Pectoral Sandpiper. That upright long neck posture with a relatively long decurved bill with again the chest markings suggest Pectoral.
Just my two cents worth.
Scott
Ron,
Can you help some of us less learned Piper folks to understand what keys help you identify the bird(s). There were two photos in Linda’s request, do you consider them both Western Sandpipers and why.
Always looking to learn more and I find the Sandpipers hard, not quite as hard as the fly catchers but hard none the less.
Thanks for your help.
Dave Pace
Idaho Falls, ID
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