Molting adult
hendersoni Short-billed Dowitcher |
Unusual Plumage in
Southern Ontario |
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Above: Molting adult hendersoni
Short-billed Dowitcher at Rock Point Provincial Park on the
north shore of Lake Erie in Ontario. Note several new gray basic
scapulars and new gray basic feathering on face and neck. Also note
the retained old browner basic tertial and old basic wing coverts mixed
with newer alternate plumage. It is unusual to see a molting adult
Short-billed Dowitchers in southern Ontario because southbound adult
Short-billed Dowitchers migrate rapidly through southern Ontario and
do not molt until they reach the coast and wintering grounds. Photo:
28 July 2005. |
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Above: Opposite side view showing contrasting
newly molted basic feathers. We consider this individual to be
closer to the
hendersoni subspecies because of the extensive cinnamon and light spotting below and
fairly wide buff fringes above. It was loosely associating with four hendersoni including
the three birds below. Hendersoni is more variable than generally realized.
Photo; 28 July 2005. |
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Above: Three classic hendersoni subspecies Short-billed
Dowitchers at Rock Point Provincial Park in Ontario on 28 July 2005.
These birds showed no obvious signs of molt, which is usual in
migrating hendersoni in southern Ontario. |
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