Dunlin

Feb. 13 2016

Could you help by saying where the bird was seen please then I could try and give an identification with more confidence.

It was in an aviary but I'm quite sure its an European species because the Center I photographed it is a Rehab-center for native bird althrough they also take care for confisticated foreign birds. However because sandpipers and other shorebirds are rarely kept by private persons - and therefor rarely confisticated - I'm pretty sure it was found in the wild in the Netherlands.

I am confident that it is a knot (in winter plumage of course). It is the smallest of the common European waders/shorebirds.

Alan

Shorebird ID

Looks like a winter plumage Dunlin.

I would also go with a winter plumage Dunlin on the principle of the following ID comparisons of the beaks as both birds can be/look remarkably alike in photographs.

Dunlin -

In its winter plumage, the dunlin is grey above and white underneath and has a DECURVED bill,

Red knot -

Silvery grey on top with a white chest and small grey/greenish legs with a STRAIGHT BILL.

Thank you all and esp. Adrian k for the clear explination !

Quite right. I should not have tried to answer after a 5 hour drive. I knew it was a dunlin as I was typing, because the dunlin is the smallest common wader in Europe. I apologise

Alan