SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS
Photographed (and heard) at Lange WPA, Clay Co, 4 May 2003.
Two birds on the right are Short-billed Dowitchers. Notice roundish spots at side of the breast, "clean" appearance of the rest of the breast, neck, face, and supercillium. Bird to the left (head behind SBDO) is a Long-billed Dowitcher. Note dashes at side of breast and heavy spotting on neck.
For sure two birds in front are Short-billed Dowitchers. Again, notice "clean" appearance of breast, face, and supercillium. Bird on far left possesses the white patchiness found on some SBDOs, although this guy appears to be at the extreme.
Close-up view of the bird mentioned above.
Two birds on the left are Short-billed Dowitchers. Bird on right is a Long-billed Dowitcher. Compare differences in face and breast. Also compare upperpart pattern of the Short-billed Dowitcher whose head is behind the other SBDO. Also note round BOLD spots on undertail coverts of the SBDO.
Taken with handheld Coolpix 4500 with a Kowa TSN-4 at approximately 30 feet.
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