Date: 3/18/13 2:04 pm
From: Kurt Schwarz <krschwa1...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Off-Topic: Primary Extension and Godwits


So far I have been unable to find this described in the literature, but
would like to throw this out. On Saturday I went to Chincoteague for the
Black-tailed Godwit. The bird in question is in basic plumage which is
rather similar to Hudsonian, and indeed, the bird was first identified as
such. Only when it revealed the white underwings and tail pattern was the
error realized. As it turns out, other structural clues are available, i.e.
the adjacent Marbled Godwits. The bird is only slightly smaller, while a
Hudsonian should be noticeably smaller. The straight and largely orange
bill is another clue. But after looking in the Big Sibley, O'Brien,
Crossley, and Karlson's Shorebird Guide, and Message and Taylor's Shorebird
of North America, Europe, and Asia I noticed that the Hudsonian shows a good
deal more primary extension than Black-tailed. In fact, it seems to me the
Hudsonian is more "long-winged" than Black-tailed. So I'd like to offer this
up as yet another possible field mark for use when the bird just refuses to
fly and give the diagnostic underwing pattern.

Reply off topic, or forward to those much smarter than me for comment.

Pics of the Black-tailed are on my Flickr site at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63381646@N02/

Kurt Schwarz
Ellicott City, HowCo
Goawaybird at verizon dot net


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