Strange Pacific Golden Plover at Boat Harbour, Sydney

["kbrandwood" <>]

Hi Tun Pin, I will stick my head out on this one. There are 3 pics you have 
on www flickr pic No. 6924,6609,6612, which according to the latest criteria 
on identifying these two species in non breeding plumage Johnson /Johnson 
2004, indicate that it is a AGP. There are 4 primary tips exposed beyond the 
longest tertial and the primary projection past the tail is at least 80% of 
the bill length. The average length of these two species bill is 23mm this 
makes a Primary Projection past the tail on this bird 18mm. 
Johnson/Johnson states 9mm for Pacific and 12 -22mm for AGP. From a survey 
of 501 Pacific Golden Plovers I did only one bird had a Primary Projection 
past the tail of 10mm the majority of the others ended at the tail tip. So 
if you believe the J$J papers its a AGP. I believe it fulfils the criteria 
for an AGP but it would be great to see it in breeding plumage.
keith b the beautiful Hawkesbury 60km N/W of Sydney