ckn

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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ckn

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.


Reference web sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Stint
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/littlestint/index.asp
http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057069
http://www.oceanwanderers.com/NYLSST.html
http://www.yukonweb.com/community/ybc/listcde.jpg
http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=495
http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/gallery/KelsallD/LittleStint20030926.htm
http://www.pbase.com/image/89452437
http://www.1000birds.com/reports_GRE3_Little-Stint.htm

kmatthew

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?

gary

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

kmatthew

Nice comparison shot Gary!! shows the size difference very well!!

ckn

Thanks Matthew and Gary.

ajohn

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).