Short-billed Dowitcher juvenile

Dowitcher ID becomes a lot easier with juveniles! This beautiful specimen shows the typical tawny breast wash of juvenile Short-billeds seen in Alabama (subspecies hendersoni). This subspecies is particularly bright above, too, in this plumage. Importantly note the extensive markings internally in the tertials (covering the wings in this posture) and greater coverts. This is not seen in juvenile Long-billeds, which have plain or nearly-plain tertials with thin rufous borders.