(griseus ?) Short-billed Dowitcher
Clay County (sheetwater) Wetland #71
Clay County, Rainwater Basin, Nebraska
24-25 May 2005
I recognized this Short-billed Dowitcher as odd from the get-go and not like the typical hendersoni that are fairly common during May in the area. I believe there are good reasons to suspect that this bird is of the nominate race griseus. These are:
1) Fine, but heavy spotting on the face, neck and upper breast. Overall pattern of these fine markings reminiscent of Pectoral Sandpiper.
2) Relatively bold markings on the sides of the breast and flanks
3) Mostly white underparts. Cinnamon coloration primarily limited to the upperbreast and surrounding black markings on the flanks.
4) Limited pale fringing on the upperparts, including the tertials. Spring hendersoni typically appear very bright golden on the upperparts. Griseus molt earlier than hendersoni (Pitelka 1950, Geographic Variation in the Limnodromus) in spring so by the time late May rolls around griseus are naturally duller.
Perhaps the other alternative is a odd, pale
hendersoni in a mixed-up molt. The bird appeared to have a
messed-up left eye, but I observed it feeding quite successfully (thus no
obvious inability to satisfy basic nutritional needs). Furthermore, any
non-hendersoni Short-billed Dowitcher on the Great Plains may be
tricky
because caurinus is in the mix as a possibility on the Great Plains.
By the way, call was heard and it is a Short-billed.
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