Date: 4/12/26 6:36 pm From: Lisa D. Walker, (Feather Forestwalker) via groups.io <feather...> Subject: Re: [Mendobirds] Surfbird or Spotted Sandpiper
On 2026-04-12 4:46 pm, Michael Coustier via groups.io wrote:
> Newbie here.
> I came across a new bird ( to me ) near Walk On Beach / Sea Ranch.
> I convinced myself it's a Spotted Sandpiper, but looking at other
> reports from the area show Surfbird as more likely.
> Also, the habitat of Spotted Sandpipers suggest they're more of a
> shorebird / freshwater.
>
> I went with Spotted Sandpiper due to: Beak color/black at tip -
> Surfbird seems to be more black on top.
> The Surfbird looks to have a darker coloring on the back.
> I thought maybe the leg coloring was more Surfbird, but I also find
> similar colors on some Spotted Sandpipers.
> Ugh.
>
> With these few pixels, can any of you help me verify?
>
Spotted Sandpiper is correct. I believe most of the Surfbirds have
headed north by now. Note that the bi-colored bill of the Surfbird (in
image attached) is shorter than the bill of a Spotted Sandpiper (also
attached). Spotted Sandpipers bob their tails up and down while walking
and are overall a much slimmer bird in appearance.
