Shorebird Identification Chart

SANDPIPERS	SIZE	BILL	LEGS AND FEET	NOTES
MOSTLY PLAIN BACKS
willet	large (crow size)	grey - several inches	grey	wing pattern - striking

dunlin	medium	black drooping at end	black	sewing machine eating
				has a BIB
red knot	medium	black	dull olive	not anything else - knot

western sandpiper	tiny	black drooping at end	black	white goes right up to chin

spotted sandpiper	small	dull yellowish, grayish	yellowish	pumps tail, loner, no spots

MOSTLY PATTERNED BACKS
greater yellowlegs	large	longer than head width	bright yellow	white speckles on back
		up tilted

lesser yellowlegs	medium-large	as long as head width	bright yellow	white speckles on back
		straight

short billed dowitcher	medium	VERY long for bird size	yellowish	feathers outlined on back
				sewing machine eating
				rufous cap, eyeline
ruddy turnstone	small	short	orange	striking patterns back & neck

least sandpiper	tiny	black drooping at end	yellowish	feathers outlined on back
				has a BIB
PLOVERS	SIZE	BILL	LEGS AND FEET	NOTES
killdeer	medium	short black	flesh colored	TWO bands on neck

black bellied plover	medium	medium black as run thru	black	no black belly
		pencil sharpener		LARGE BEADY EYE

Wilson's plover	small	large for plover - black	yellowish	mud colored back

semi-palmated sandpiper	tiny	tiny, black, orange base	orangeish	mud colored back

PALE BACKS (mostly on beach)

sanderling	small	black	black	white bar under shoulder

piping plover	tiny	black maybe orange base	orangeish	pale sandy

snowy plover	tiny	black	grey	pale sandy grayish


BIG GUYS - an event	SIZE	BILL	LEGS AND FEET	NOTES

marbled godwit	very large	long upturned pink base	black	brownish speckled

whimbrel	large	down curved long	grey	black stripes on head

long billed curlew	very large	extremely long	tan	brownish speckled