shorebirds are migrating now and among the greatest methods to ID them are by measurement and form. One of many methods to evaluate measurement is to take a look at the shorebird in relation to different birds close to it, particularly different shorebirds.
Within the above photograph, there’s a combination of shorebirds and Sandwich Terns who’ve black payments with yellow (mustard, get it) ideas.
Begin on the prime of the photograph and you will notice two shorebirds who’re massive. They’ve lengthy, grayish legs and payments which are longer than the size of the top. These are Willets, a reasonably frequent, massive shorebird that’s about 15 inches lengthy. Having the Sandwich Terns, who’re 17 inches lengthy, close by, helps verify that the Willets are a big shorebird.
It is useful to get to know Willets as a result of if you happen to’re making an attempt to determine a shorebird and it is standing close to a Willet, you possibly can instantly get a way of that shorebird’s measurement ( massive, medium, or small) in comparison with the Willet. We are saying a Willet generally is a good “marker hen,” one which helps you measure the scale of close by birds. Get to know a couple of different shorebirds nicely that may additionally function your “marker hen.”
In the midst of the photograph are a lot of medium-sized (in comparison with the Willet) shorebirds whose payments are concerning the size of their heads. These are Purple Knots (who’re solely purple of their breeding plumage, not this winter plumage).
You may see two different shorebirds within the entrance of the photograph. The one on the proper, with the rusty again and brown “U” chest mark, is barely smaller than the Purple Knots. It is a Ruddy Turnstone.
After trying on the Purple Knots and Ruddy Turnstone, who’re medium-sized shorebirds, it turns into clear that the pale shorebird on the entrance left of the photograph is kind of a bit smaller. This hen could be very white beneath with darkish legs, a pale grey again and a darkish invoice. It is a Sanderling.
Follow this judging of relative measurement the subsequent time you are close to shorebirds.