jsk_ppp

Mai Po - 4 April 2017, taken by my wife.  Sorry for the poor quality of the photo.

[ Last edited by jsk_ppp at 13/04/2017 23:07 ]

ddavid

An interesting image. I'm just wondering what the features are in this photo that definitely make this a Spoon-billed Sandpiper and not a Red-necked Stint with a lump of mud on the tip of its bill.

David

Mars

I got similar picture today. I think it is the same bird. When it turns its head shows it spoon. However very far, picture quality is not good.

Mars_2017-04-09_45619.jpg (129.96 KB)

9/04/2017 22:20

Mars_2017-04-09_45620.jpg (129.75 KB)

9/04/2017 22:20

lrichard

The bill isn't long enough and lacks the really obvious spatulate tip of Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

We're still waiting for the first of the spring, in my opinion

jsk_ppp

I reckon that the two birds were not the same one.

ddavid

I agree. These are different birds. The second is clearly a Red-necked Stint with an odd-looking bill. I am not sure what the first is. It may be a Spoon-billed Sandpiper but I personally think it is a Red-necked Stint with mud on its bill. I may be wrong here, which is why I posted my initial query for other birders to respond to.

David
www.birdinghongkong.com

jsk_ppp

Quote:

Original posted by ddavid at 10/04/2017 20:44
I agree. These are different birds. The second is clearly a Red-necked Stint with an odd-looking bill. I am not sure what the first is. It may be a Spoon-billed Sandpiper but I personally think it is  ...

It does not look like a red-necked stint because of the colour around the neck.  I may suggest that it is a spoon-billed sandpiper with mud on its bill.

lpaul

First bird is also Red-necked Stint for me.

jsk_ppp

Thank you all for the comments.  I have changed the subject line to indicate the doubt over it.