This is one of the most difficult identifications in birding -
distinguishing short-billed from long-billed dowitchers. Responses were
split 50/50 as might have been predicted. But one of the responders --
Nigel Ball -- pointed out an extremely interesting photo web page that
explains how to distinguish the two species in detail:
http://www.surfbirds.com/ID%20Articles/dowitchers1005/dowitchers.html

There are essentially two choices along the Pacific flyway: Pacific
short-billed vs long-billed. This appears to be a Pacific short-billed
because 1) the rufous on the underside is incomplete; 2) the bill curves
slightly downward; 3) the supercilium (white line above the eye) is
thicker and more arched; 4) it lacks bold black barring in the tail. For
more on these and other criteria, see
the site offered by Nigel Ball.

The date was 24 July 2007, and they were far along their southward
journey. Migration begins in late June to early July for short-bills,
versus mid-July for long-bills. And whereas the short-bills come from
southern Alaska, the long-billed come from much further - the Arctic
Ocean shore. The date therefore seems to favor the short-bills as well.

Nigel Ball wrote:
> I vote for short-billed. I also find the following article helpful.
>
> http://www.surfbirds.com/ID%20Articles/dowitchers1005/dowitchers.html
> I would say:
> a) base of bill thickens towards head ('upward sweep')
> b) relatively arched brow
> c) apparently long primary projection
> d) ?slightly decurved look to bill
>
> I can't make my mind up about scaps pattern
>
> I can't see why it wouldn't be ssp caurinus.
>
> Cheers
> Nigel Ball
> Bainbridge
> On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 4:28 PM, Andrew Reding <aareding at gmail.com
> <mailto:aareding at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Can anyone identify the species (and subspecies?) of dowitcher in this
> photo? If so, what is the diagnostic trait?
>
> Before anyone asks, NO, i did NOT hear any vocalizations.
>
> http://flickr.com/photos/seaotter/
>
> I am stumped.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andrew Reding
> Port Townsend WA
> aareding at gmail.com <http://gmail.com/>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
> --
> Nigel Ball
> nigelj.ball at gmail.com <mailto:nigelj.ball at gmail.com>
> 206 715 8030