Date: 5/3/25 6:04 pm From: Louisa Evers via groups.io <elouisa603...> Subject: Re: [IBLE] Golden Plover ID
Jay Carlisle confirmed the bird as a Pacific based on the call.
Louisa Evers <elouisa603...> Take care of the birds and you take care of the world
On Sat, May 3, 2025 at 13:06 Cliff Weisse via groups.io <cliffandlisa= <octobersetters.com...> wrote:
> I've looked at more than 20 eBird checklists for the Pacific Golden Plover > at Black's Creek. I don't see much mention of the relative length of > Primaries/Tertails/Tail that is the only reliable way to separate American > and Pacific without calls. It works in any plumage with the only caveat > being that it may not work for molting birds. > > Breeding plumage Americans with no white on the flanks are straight > forward but during molt they can look like much like Pacifics, and > juveniles are very similar. The long bill and long legs can be helpful but > a good look at the Primary/Tertial/Tail relationship can make it easy. Here > are the important points taken from this article "*Morphometric features > of Pacific and American Golden-Plovers with comments on field > identification*" ( > https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=9bc92b3f984f118928e8f292158d19a586cc53ea > ): > - Pacific has 2-3 primaries visible beyond tertials, American has 4-5 > - tertials extend to distal third of tail, ending at or near tail tip in > most Pacific, from half to distal third of tail on American > - wing tip extends past end of tail more on American than Pacific, with > little or no overlap > - tips of outer two primaries are closer together on Pacific, with some > overlap. > > With a good look at the rear end of the bird these differences create a > different overall look, even if you can't see the details clearly. Kent's > original photo that was posted to IBLE is a good example - it hints at > Pacific with tertials appearing to extend nearly to end of tail and very > short primary tips visible. You can't quite see the details but there is > enough to suggest the need for a closer look. After reviewing the above > linked article I did a Google search for photos and these features are > clearly visible in countless examples of both species. If you want to get a > better handle on Golden Plovers I'd recommend reading the article and > spending some time looking at photos. > > Cliff > > -- > Cliff and Lisa Weisse > Island Park, <Idahocliffandlisa...> > > > >
