Scott, as I just learned from the literature,
The other possibility about the Semi-palmated plover is that it was a
second summer immature bird (it did have a definite complete white eye
stripe with otherwise crisp adult alternative features.) Paulson's
"Shorebirds" book indicates that some S-p plovers take two years to
develop fully mature plumage. Whether an early migrant, failed
breeder or a "2nd" year immature bird, this was definitely a more advanced
ID learning experience for the plover (and the kingfisher; being able to
confirm the continuity of the "rufous" band is a good point to know!)
Cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA

"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-
****************************************************************
On Thu, 30 Jul 1998, S&C Richardson wrote:

> Maureen,
>
> Based on your description, I have the feeling you were looking at a young male,
> rather than young female, kingfisher the other day. The book to look at is
> Peter Pyle's 1997 identification guide. In it, he suggests that females at any
> age have a "connecting" rufous band, while juvenile males show rufous on the
> sides and flanks, but not all the way across the breast.
>
> Bent has a passage that describes this similarly. Otherwise, I have been
> surprised at how little coverage this juvenal plumage in males has received in
> field guides.
>
> Earlier this summer, I saw a kingfisher with brown sides feeding a fish to one
> with rufous sides. I think it was a second-year (first breeding season) male
> with its male progeny. I have a feeling the rufous "degrades" to brown over
> time; young birds may retain much juvenal plumage for a full year, as I
> understand it.
>
> As usual in the bird world, nothing is as easy as it seems!
>
> Have you seen the WOSNews article? I'd be happy to send a copy, if not.
>
> > Another note concerning the Semi-palmated plover
>
> Well, I haven't looked into these plovers, but I imagine you saw a breeder that
> finished (or failed) early in the season. I would be surprised if juvenal
> plumage was like the alternate plumage and really doubt hatch-year birds go
> through a molt to basic before their first winter. My bet: failed or unmated
> ASY bird.
>
> > Thanks again (hope you don't mind my cc'ing this post to Tweeters
>
> Not at all, though I haven't done the same with this one.
>
> Scott
>
>