Sunday, June 24, 2012

Pic Of The Week: Not A Purple Sandpiper



Rock Sandpiper. The North American shorebird that winters further north than any other, we should have nothing but respect for them. The subspecies pictured here (cousei) are year-round residents of the Aleutians, which is crazy. Adak Island, Alaska.

Purple Sandpiper is the last North American commonish sandpiper that I need to see...I'm glad we have its practically identical counterpart to see over here.

6 comments:

  1. Nice! So odd that Rock Sandpipers are clearly made from the same mold as Purples, yet plumage-wise, look more like Dunlin on steroids. Trade you for a Purple.

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    1. I think they both assume a Dunlinesque cloak during the summer (this was photographed in May), but go back to being gray and white (and purple???) in the fall.

      Your trade proposal is accepted, I'll start scanning the local jetties.

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  2. Oh geez Seagull no Purple Sandpiper, what have you been doing with your life?

    *Small point of contention: In terms of latitude, isn't the PUSA range closer to the north pole?

    Anyhow, this is a mighty handsome bird, and stockily built too. Perhaps it should be named the Rock Balboa Sandpiper.

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    1. Laurence, I think you may be right...they do winter further north (Greenland and Iceland), but for the U.S./Canada I think Rock is the winter champ.

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  3. Wow, I can't believe I actually have a bird on my list that you're missing. We gots 'em here if you find yourself in Maine during the cold times...Purple Plumpertons galore.

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    1. The circumstances would be strange indeed to bring me to Maine in winter, but if it was so I would not be hesitant to cast a gaze toward Purple Plumperton.

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