jsk_ppp

Mai Po - 15 April 2017

[ Last edited by jsk_ppp at 22/04/2017 17:10 ]

jsk_ppp

Some said it's a Little Stint, but some said Red-necked Stint.  Any advice on its ID?  Thanks.

[ Last edited by jsk_ppp at 19/04/2017 22:52 ]

ajohn

It's definitely a Little Stint, based on the orange-rufous upperparts, white throat/breast with spotting on breast sides, relatively long legs, and bill with a fairly fine tip.
This is presumably the Little Stint that has been around at the mudflat for a few days. It provides a good comparison with the Red-necked Stints.
Some great photos of it here!

jsk_ppp

Quote:

Original posted by ajohn at 20/04/2017 15:35
It's definitely a Little Stint, based on the orange-rufous upperparts, white throat/breast with spotting on breast sides, relatively long legs, and bill with a fairly fine tip.
This is presumably the ...

Thank you John for your enlightenment.  Some opined that it is not a Little Stint because it does not have a well-defined creamy-white V on the mantle.  Does every Little Stint has a creamy-white V on the mantle?

ajohn

Quote:

Original posted by jsk_ppp at 22/04/2017 17:17


Thank you John for your enlightenment.  Some opined that it is not a Little Stint because it does not have a well-defined creamy-white V on the mantle.  Does every Little Stint has a creamy-white V  ...

Little Stint should usually have a mantle V in breeding plumage, although I think this is a bit variable and is not as obvious as on juveniles.
What I think may be the issue for this individual is that it has not quite completed moult into breeding plumage, and I think the feathers at the sides of the mantle (which would form the V) have not yet been replaced. It may develop one in the coming weeks before reaching the breeding grounds. Red-necked Stints are also very variable in plumage at the moment, depending on how much has been moulted.

jsk_ppp

Quote:

Original posted by ajohn at 22/04/2017 17:53


Little Stint should usually have a mantle V in breeding plumage, although I think this is a bit variable and is not as obvious as on juveniles.
What I think may be the issue for this individual is t ...

Thank you very much for your explanation.