What
Species:
Species Identification Confidence:
I'm very confident
Observation Method(s):
Individual(s) Observed (seen)
Count:
1
Count Type:
Absolute
Sex:
Unknown
Life State:
Alive
Life Stage:
Unknown
Species Account:
Stayed at our neighbors cabin in Donnelly. Introducing our neighbor Jeff Box to birding.
IBRC report prepared on Sept 9, submitted on Nov 27, 2012.----This sandpiper was about 60% larger (in length) than nearby Westerns. Through the scope, I could see a scaly upper side with fringing of the individual feathers, dull yellowish legs, and the bird was deep-bellied. It had a very buffy head, neck and breast; with an all dark straight bill, and dull yellowish legs, which at moments appeared very slightly greenish. ----The buff areas appeared plain and not streaky, and didn't appear to end abruptly at the breast. I looked for any paleness at the base of the bill and couldn't see any. The whole bill appeared dark.----While I watched the bird, it was mostly wading, and I would say it walked slowly and steadily, and its movements deliberate and opportunistic. It frequently submerged it's entire head to forage. At times, it walked quickly over land to get to deeper water.----I have no prior experience with Ruff or Buff-breasted Sandpiper, but from what I see of the photos, the bird is too big for a Buff, based on measurements given in field guides. ----From my scope view, the bill, although it appeared completely straight to me, was stouter and longer than what is shown for Buff in the guides, which is hard to discern from the photos. I recall this because I was trying to match the bird to a Buff. Also, the bird looked rotund and bulky, which doesn't seem to fit the attenuated streamlined look of the Buff, at least as shown in Sibley. ----In addition to several IBLE replies in favor of Ruff, 2 private replies so far are in favor of Ruff, based on the photos.----<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird_nut/7931359940/" title="IMG_8774 by Bird Nut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7931359940_17b6ab1eac.jpg" alt="IMG_8774"></a>
Ruff Calidris pugnax
IBRC report prepared on Sept 9, submitted on Nov 27, 2012.----This sandpiper was about 60% larger (in length) than nearby Westerns. Through the scope, I could see a scaly upper side with fringing of the individual feathers, dull yellowish legs, and the bird was deep-bellied. It had a very buffy head, neck and breast; with an all dark straight bill, and dull yellowish legs, which at moments appeared very slightly greenish. ----The buff areas appeared plain and not streaky, and didn't appear to end abruptly at the breast. I looked for any paleness at the base of the bill and couldn't see any. The whole bill appeared dark.----While I watched the bird, it was mostly wading, and I would say it walked slowly and steadily, and its movements deliberate and opportunistic. It frequently submerged it's entire head to forage. At times, it walked quickly over land to get to deeper water.----I have no prior experience with Ruff or Buff-breasted Sandpiper, but from what I see of the photos, the bird is too big for a Buff, based on measurements given in field guides. ----From my scope view, the bill, although it appeared completely straight to me, was stouter and longer than what is shown for Buff in the guides, which is hard to discern from the photos. I recall this because I was trying to match the bird to a Buff. Also, the bird looked rotund and bulky, which doesn't seem to fit the attenuated streamlined look of the Buff, at least as shown in Sibley. ----In addition to several IBLE replies in favor of Ruff, 2 private replies so far are in favor of Ruff, based on the photos.----<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bird_nut/7931359940/" title="IMG_8774 by Bird Nut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7931359940_17b6ab1eac.jpg" alt="IMG_8774"></a>
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Where
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 44.7,-116.1
Location Precision:
±50 meters
Location Use:
Unknown
Region:
Game Management Unit:
County:
When
Date Time:
September 2, 2012, 9:00 am MDT
Date/Time Precision:
Day
Who
& How
Survey Method:
eBird - Casual Observation
Source Agency:
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
SA code (IDFG Reference Code):
Location Unresolveable:
No
Source Type:
Digital, Appended
Source ID:
URN:CornellLabOfOrnithology:EBIRD:OBS162826040
Verification Status:
Trusted