I can see why it is indeed a Wood. Thanks to all for the input, especially the comments explaining why we mistook it for a Green. I guess we should change the picture label?
Wood Sandpiper, IMHO. The back is not uniform dark grey enough for Green Sandpiper. I believe this is a first-year bird. It appears that there are still a few very worn juvenile scapular feathers. The leg colour is variable in this specie’s juveniles and also depends on light conditions, etc. Eye stripe will become more pronounced with full adult plumage. Bill length too short for Green Sandpiper. Clear throat and neck with slight darker wash on the sides also indicative of wood Sandpiper. Bigger blotches on wings, rather than round, neatly lined-up spots, also rule out Green Sandpiper. This time of year leads to many doubdful Green Sandpiper records, because of the feint, indistinct eye-stripe, and prominent wing spots, etc. My 2c worth. Dawie Kleynhans
I can see why it is indeed a Wood. Thanks to all for the input, especially the comments explaining why we mistook it for a Green. I guess we should change the picture label?
Sub adult Wood sandpiper. Colour contrast between upper and lower parts not distict enough.
When you click on the photo it is named as a Green Sandpiper! I would therefore assume that it is a Green Sandpiper.
Wood Sandpiper, probably juvenile, leg colour yellow or greenish yellow
Wood Sandpiper, IMHO. The back is not uniform dark grey enough for Green Sandpiper. I believe this is a first-year bird. It appears that there are still a few very worn juvenile scapular feathers. The leg colour is variable in this specie’s juveniles and also depends on light conditions, etc. Eye stripe will become more pronounced with full adult plumage. Bill length too short for Green Sandpiper. Clear throat and neck with slight darker wash on the sides also indicative of wood Sandpiper. Bigger blotches on wings, rather than round, neatly lined-up spots, also rule out Green Sandpiper. This time of year leads to many doubdful Green Sandpiper records, because of the feint, indistinct eye-stripe, and prominent wing spots, etc. My 2c worth. Dawie Kleynhans
Wood Sandpiper
Eyebrow stripe missing – does that mean it is a juvenile? What about the leg colour?