Well, the wing tips seem to barely extend beyond the tail which fits Grey-tailed Tattler better than Wandering where the tips of the wings usually extends well beyond the tail. The belly is also less densely spotted/barred than I would expect it to be in a breeding Wandering Tattler. But the two species are very similar, so I am not sure.

Thomas

David,

Unlike Thomas, I am convinced your id. is correct.

The somewhat longer primary projection on Wandering does not seem so safe a criteria after all, since many birds are intermediate in this respect.
The distinct barring under the undertail-coverts, however, is a 'waterproof' sign of breeding Wandering.
Congratulation with seeing both species so well...

Regards
Peter

Beklager, jeg glemte at skrive på dansk også:

Som nævnt af Thomas er håndsvingfjersprojektionen oftest længere på Wandering end på Grey-tailed, og det kunne således tyde på at fotografiet viser sidstnævnte art.

Dette kendetegn er imidlertid noget overvurderet, da mange individer af de to arter er ens i denne henseende.

Bedre er underhaledækfjerenes stribning, der hos Grey-tailed kun er svagt defineret (og det meste af bugen er desuden hvid), mens Wandering har kraftige sorte striber på underhalen, som tydeligt ses på dette foto, og har kun et mindre område på den centrale bug ustribet hvid.

Er derfor sikker på at Davids bestemmelse er korrekt....det må have været fint at kunne se begge arter så godt!

Thanks Thomas and Peter for your comments! This bird was never heard, and we actually didn't expect to see Wandering when it was photographed. But when scrutinizing the photos, we soon realised that it probably was the american species.

By the way, regarding the nomenclature. Shouldn't the correct scientific labeling be Tringa incana and not Heteroscelus incanus?

David's tattler looks best for a Wandering (incana).
Reasons for that is, as mentioned by Peter, the obvious boad (especially on the flanks) barring from the breast, including the whole underparts, with some exeptions for the underparts due to timing of breeding plumage aquirered, all the way to the undertail coverts. Some breeeding Grey-tailed (brevipes) exibit some barring on the undertail coverts but these bars are few and rather thin. I would trust these features more than the primary projection - allthough Thomas is correct on his point(the nasal groove is unlikely to be seen well in David's image, usually longer than half the bill in Wandering, half or shorter in Grey-tailed and sometimes difficult to see even in fairly good images) Furthermore, the bill of Wandering is usually slightly slenderer compared to Grey-tailed, which is notable deeper-based and heavier looking. Pale area on lower mandible base with larger pale area in Grey-tailed. Features such as the length of the supercilium is variable and not a safe character.

Some Grey-tailed

Some more Grey-tailed

One moreGrey-tailed

A few Wandering

JanJ

..and yes, Tringa - not Heteroscelus

JanJ

Tak Jan for linket til de brilliante fotos. Det sidste viser bla. de arter sammen, og her har Grey-tailed faktisk længere håndsvingfjersprojektion end Wandering.

Well, you are undoubtedly correct. My experience with both species is fairly limited.

Thomas