Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sandy Shore and Aviary.
December 23, 2015

Bill seems long for a semipalmated, could it be a western?

A man who worked for the aquarium identified it as semipalmated. I don't know much about shorebird IDs, so if you (or anyone) wants to prove him wrong, go ahead. I'm not sure if the aquarium claims to have western.

There is overlap in bill lengh of the two species, so I was wondering if western were a possibility. Given that it isn't, than surely you are correct.

You're right that the bill does look a bit long. The aquarium doesn't list either species on its website. Perhaps it is a western- I don't remember seeing western when flipping through the ID guides, but that was nearly three months ago.