| Re: Help please
Although the above bird is viewed at an angle, the bill is the approx the same length as the head. Spotted Redshank (SR) would have a bill at least one and a half times longer than the head. The base of the bill on this bird is also orange on both upper and lower mandibles, whereas on SR it would be orange on lower only.
The eye ring/stripe can be too variable to discern the species.
In winter plumage the SR is very grey with a very white belly, and on an adult not many spots – despite its name! Redshanks are much browner in winter than SR’s and can be very spotted, which matches the above bird.
The behaviour of Redshank is almost the same as SR, but indeed SR’s will ‘dunk’ or turn-up. This bird is just deep wading though.
Still a Redshank for me.
Alan |