Keith and all,
I have to disagree that there is nothing to discuss on this bird, or
more specifically on the identification of American Golden Plover.
There are a lot more characters to discuss on the separation of
Pacific Golden Plover from American Golden Plover, like head-shape,
bill size, leg length, primary projection (although there is some
overlap, especially when the bird is moulting, birds out of wing
moult, e.g. juveniles in their first 'winter' plumage are much more
straight forward). In fact I'd say that, at least to my ear and
experience, call is one character which I wouldn't rely on to id a
'Lesser' Golden Plover to species. Sometimes though, it's a suite of
characters that you have to consider, not just one individual
character.
I do somewhat agree with Keith though, that Mick's photo does not show
enough features to identify it as either species.
One thing I am confused about - is Mick's photo the bird at Dry Creek
Saltfields, in SA of which there is another, much more convincing
photo here:
http://www.birdpedia.com/files/au/observation/SA/jpg/8051422780_0001_0001.jpg
Cheers for now,
Graham
On 12/5/06, kbrandwood <> wrote:
Hi All, Mike, There is nothing to discuss re the photos Mike, there is much
overlap in plumage colouration between fulva and dominica plovers. It is the
rear end that determines the species but even that criteria is in flux
according to recent literature. In my opinion the
bird will have to be in breeding plumage to confirm it as a USA GP unless you
are fortunate enough to record the voice.
keith b the beautiful Hawkesbury 60km N/W of Sydney
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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Dr. Graham Etherington
Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia
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