Posted by Bill Leggett on September 8, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Shot in Ocean Springs, MS yesterday. Black-bellied Plover is my guess judging from the size of the bird, its bill and shape of the head, but Sibley's doesn't show these color markings on the breast, maybe some stage of a juvi?
Posted by Nate Chappell on September 8, 2009 at 3:58 PM
You've got the id correct here Bill. I believe it's in the process of moulting from breeding to winter plumage.
Posted by Mia McPherson on September 8, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Bill,
Your ID is correct and is is in the process of molting from breeding to non-breeding plumage. Except for their size, shape and behavior these BBPL look like a different species of bird when you compare breeding to non-breeding plumage.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on September 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Good job, Bill. Transition plumages are very tough and, as Lia noted, especially where the alternate (non-breeding) plumage is completely different.
Discussion
3 repliesYour ID is correct and is is in the process of molting from breeding to non-breeding plumage. Except for their size, shape and behavior these BBPL look like a different species of bird when you compare breeding to non-breeding plumage.