...........................................................

In this photo series of a bird believed to be PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva) present today (Sun., 21 April 2002)
at the Parker River N.W.R. on Plum Island, Essex County, MA note the following:

...........................................................

* The short primary extension: The tip of the longest tertial falls slightly short of the tail and the tip of the longest primary projects only a relatively short distance beyond the tail. The result is a short primary extension, the distance between the end of the tertials and the end of the longest primary. In the field I could only make out two primaries exceeding the tertials but it is possible there were three.

* The relatively short-winged appearance, lacking the long, attenuated "pinched at the rear" effect typically shown by P. dominica.

* The white forehead touching the bill.

* The bright golden, coarsely( large flecks/spots) and densely patterned upperparts.

* The comparatively narrow white stripe ringing the bird from supercilliary to flanks and undertail.

* The rather long, narrow bill.

* Not really evident in the photos was the very long legged appearance that was observed in the field.

* The plover also raised and stretched its wing displaying solidly gray underwing.

Any comments pro or con would be most welcome. Hopefully the bird will remain long enough for us to study this bird further and confirm these initial observations. Send comments to Rick Heil

Created with iView MediaPro | Sunday, April 21, 2002 | 6:24 PM |T.Carrolan