White-rumped sandpiper

[squirl033]

Another rarity for the PNW is the white-rumped sandpiper, normally found in the east and midwest, and very rarely seen west of the Rockies. This one was spotted in Gearhart, OR... a friend and I went to find it this afternoon and were rewarded with some good looks.

WRSA is bringing up the rear in this photo...

In this shot, he's in the lead...

Here he is on the ground...

 

[Bill Anderson]

You are becoming quite the birder, traveling to see rare "lifers."

 

[BobH]

Very cool! What are the main distinguishing factors for the white rumped vs the normal sandpipers? It is purely the white rump area? I don't think I would have ever noticed this guy in a flock of Sandpipers.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Very cool! What are the main distinguishing factors for the white rumped vs the normal sandpipers? It is purely the white rump area? I don't think I would have ever noticed this guy in a flock of Sandpipers.

Look at the flight shots. Start with the bird's neck and follow its back all the way to the tail feathers. You will see a large white area just before reaching the tail feathers. The other sandpipers are solid brown in that same area. I probably would have missed it as well.

 

[squirl033]

Thanks, guys! I certainly would have missed it, but the person I went with is an avid birder and explained the difference to me. When on the ground, they're very hard to tell apart - the main differences are the slightly orange lower mandible and a longer tail. In fllight, like Bill mentioned, the white rump shows. I probably wouldn't have gone to see this on my own, but I was invited to go along, so...