Help with Shorebird ID

I took this picture on a reservoir in Weld County, CO in late October. My guesses are either a Wilson's or common snipe, but could anyone help me out.

Thanks George

Wilson's Snipe. The Common snipe name is reserved for the European version (I believe)

- Luke

Thanks Luke. The ID is appreciated. I am at the bottom of the learning curve with shorebirds and their variations.

George

George -

Welcome to the fun of shorebird ID. It's a Wilson's Snipe, as Luke said. One of the challenges of birding is that the American Ornithological Union likes to tinker with the species classifications. For example, this would have been a Common Snipe until ten years or so ago, when the AOU split the Common Snipe into the Common and Wilson's Snipe. The Western Hemisphere species was named Wilson's, with the older name going to the Old World. A minor challenge, I suppose.

I've seen up to 3 snipe together this winter in Larimer County George so they are fairly common.

Thanks all. Amazing what the Powers to Be can do to classifications. I am familar with the hodge poge in the various races of Canada geese, but didn't realize that it extended to shore birds as well.

George

One way to get around all of the confusion generated by common names is to not use them and just use the correct Genus and species for each bird. I know, I know, good luck with that. Well, just a suggestion