Subject: Little Stint? [Print This Page] Author: ckn Time: 27/04/2008 23:38 Subject: Little Stint?
Is it Little Stint or Red-necked Stint? Thanks.
[Confirmed by Gary and Matthew that this is a Red-necked Stint --- 28/4/2008]
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#3 Author: ckn Time: 28/04/2008 17:42 Subject: re: Little Stint?
Having searched several bird websites attempting to verify whether the above bird is a Little Stint, I find this bird has the following similarities:
- small size;
- dark bill;
- dark legs;
- unwebbed toes;
- white underside;
- rufous tertial fringes and upper scapulars;
- centers of tertials are reasonably dark;
- faint fine streaks on breast;
- dark fine streaking on central crown;
- its back shows a white strip (may be part of the white "V").
I still could not make any conclusion. Help and comments are sought.
I am not very sure, the angle of the photos don't give away the easiest way to identifying it which is the "V" shape on the back.
Little & Red-necked have pretty similar features but with slight differences. I can't really compare the size judging by these photos as there is only one bird. But I think this is a Red-necked for following reasons:
1. Red-necked Stint have proportionately shorter bill and legs than Little
2. Red-necked have longer wings & tail than Little
3. Supercilium & base of bill whitish
4. Crown cap is reddish-brown
5. In breeding, Red-necked Stint's head is entirely reddish-brown, while Little will have paler throat
Was this bird seen in a flock of Red-necked stint? Author: gary Time: 28/04/2008 19:45
Searching a Little Stint among hundreds of Red-necked Stints is always a challenge to birdwatcher in HK. We always say body/bill shape are the most accurate clues for bird ID. However, I think it's too difficult to see the different in HK as most of time we see Little Stint is from a far far distinct and hiding behind crowds of similar waders.
I think we can search a Little Stint in Spring HK by looking at these features:
1. bright orange tertials and greater coverts
2. White throat
3. White V-shape on mantle
My approach is searching the flocks of stints for a "golden" individuals, and then confirm it with white throat an white V-shape(Beware of the yellow legged Long-toed Stint).
I think there are few of them at Mai Po at this period of time and I've just got a record photo.
Little Stint on left and Red-necked Stint on right.
Having say so, I think your photo is a Red-necked Stint.
A nice close-up photo for this species anyway.
Gary Author: kmatthew Time: 28/04/2008 20:02
Nice comparison shot Gary!! shows the size difference very well!! Author: ckn Time: 28/04/2008 20:09
Thanks Matthew and Gary. Author: ajohn Time: 29/04/2008 12:21
I would agree with others that this is a red-necked stint. The bill is relatively short and thick (no fine tip as on little stint), and the red covers the whole throat/breast (no white centre to the throat).
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