Western vs. Semipalmated Sandpipers
Western Sandpiper is somewhat of rarity in our areas. One showed up recently in Hamilton. They are hard to differentiate from a Semipalmated when they are on their own. Luckily when I took these photos both were foraging side by side. Unfortunately I could only keep one in the focus at a time. So I took two frames, changing focus between two birds and then stitched them together in this composite. Apart from other subtleties, the Western has longer and decurved beak. That's enough hint to recognize which is which. By the way, Western Sandpiper is my life bird. Christie Mudflat, Hamilton, Ontario.
Western vs. Semipalmated Sandpipers
Western Sandpiper is somewhat of rarity in our areas. One showed up recently in Hamilton. They are hard to differentiate from a Semipalmated when they are on their own. Luckily when I took these photos both were foraging side by side. Unfortunately I could only keep one in the focus at a time. So I took two frames, changing focus between two birds and then stitched them together in this composite. Apart from other subtleties, the Western has longer and decurved beak. That's enough hint to recognize which is which. By the way, Western Sandpiper is my life bird. Christie Mudflat, Hamilton, Ontario.