Which Redshank?

[Ukwildlifeo]

I took these a couple of months ago and had them down as redshanks, but my local recorder has since said they are spotted redshanks. I think hes right but a second opinion never hurts!



If someone could tell me how to tell the two redshanks apart I would be grateful too!

[Picidae]

Glad you said you took it a few months ago - wintering Spot Shanks are rather scarce Yes, your Recorder is correct - it's a Spotted Redshank (in winter plumage).

ID pointers? Well primarily structure is a good place to start. Cf. with Common Redshank, Spot Shanks have a slimmer build, longer slimmer legs and a longer finer bill. Colour wise: C.Rs are duller with less contrast (throughout the year). In summer, Spots are easy! In winter, Spot Shanks show white belly contrasting with silvery grey plumage (cf. to overall muddier tones of CRs). The face features are the strongest indicator, with Spot Shanks showing a marked white supercillium from the bill to the eye with a white eyering (as seen in your pic). CRs have a more 'featureless' looking face. With good views, Spot Shanks usually only have red on the lower mandible of the proximal end of the bill (ie nearest the body).

Once you see a Spotted Redshank in with a bunch of Common Redshank, you'll notice the difference immediately as all the above features form a very distinctive gizz.

Have a browse down the pages through some of these in the meantime!

Spotted Redshank
Iris

Common Redshank
Iris

Hope that helps!

[welsh.lensman]

Yes it is a Spotted redshank, The difference's are tha the Redshank's bill is shorter and the orange/red of the bill is on the upper and lower mandible whereas the Spotted only has the orange/red on the lower mandible, in flight the Redshank has large white conspicuous wing-patches.
I'm sure there are other differences, but thats how I tell them apart.
Hope this helps.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Thanks guys