Griseus Subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher near Hillman Marsh

Eastern subspecies (nominate griseus) of the Short-billled Dowitcher (left) with Lesser Yellowlegs on Mersea 1 on 7 May. This bird is griseus in breeding plumage. Note that the upperparts feathers - scapulars and mantle - are breeding plumage feathers. It has a light wash of cinnamon on the neck/breast, with the belly being mainly white, unlike Long-billed Dowitcher in breeding plumage which is brightly coloured from the neck to the undertail coverts and has well-formed bars on the side of the breast. The hendersoni subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher is brightly coloured to the undertail coverts.

 

Eastern subspecies (nominate griseus) of the Short-billled Dowitcher on Mersea 1 on 7 May. The cinnamon coloration is on the neck/breast with the belly being mainly white. It lacks the Long-billed Dowitcher's well-formed bars on the side of the breast and bright coloration below. Compared to hendersoni Short-billed Dowitcher, it lacks bright coloration on underparts. The hendersoni subspecies is very lightly spotted to not spotted across the middle of the neck and upper breast, whereas griseus is more heavily spotted across the neck and breast,

 

More photos of griseus Short-billed Dowitchers at Reesor Pond