The Tringa Species in Eilat – issue resolved

The Eilat bird (report 16/8/2005) caused a lot of stir and we received many comments on the images. Although several birders supported Greater Yellowlegs, the vast majority favors a slightly odd looking juvenile Common Redshank Tringa totanus, rather than either of the Yellowlegs species.

Here is a summary of the helpful comments and pointers received:

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Looking at the images taken by Eran Peled it is evident that the strong Eilat light and glare clearly affect the general appearance of the bird. The glare effect received in the slightly overexposed images makes the true colours difficult to judge. The Eilat bird seems slim and long-legged, contributing to the confusion, but as mentioned by some birders the conditions on that day (over 40 degrees c.) as on many a summer day in Eilat could make any bird look slim. A migrant shorebird in August even more so.

LEGS

The legs are the first that attract our attention when looking at the images. The bird does seem long-legged but the overall slim appearance make the legs seem longer. The leg colour is hard to asses clearly from the images and is clearly affected by the overexposure etc.

Several birders commented that although pale in the images, such bright yellow-orange legs are regular for juvenile Redshanks, in August in their region (interestingly enough these comments came from French and Spanish birders…). Close scrutiny of the images reveals a slight orangey tinge to the legs (especially the tarsi), and not pure yellow, supporting juv. Redshank, rather than either Yellowlegs.

BILL

The bird in the images shows a rather heavy and straight bill. The bill does seem a bit long for a Redshank, but that might be a sub- specific matter (*). Greater Yellowlegs has a thinner, slightly upturned bill. Lesser Yellowlegs also has a much thinner, all black bill. The bill of the Eilat bird again suggests Redshank.

PLUMAGE

The strongly patterned upperparts, especially the coverts and tertial patterns support Redshank rather than Greater Yellowlegs. The overall pattern is of whitish buff fringes to the feathers rather than pale spotting. This again fits a juvenile Redshank rather than Greater Yellowlegs.

Primary projection is another important feature. Several birders addressed the PP in detail. Both Yellowlegs species normally show 3-4 primaries projecting beyond the tail, giving more of a long winged appearance. The bird in the images shows 2 projecting primaries and has a rather short winged appearance, good for Redshank.

The streaking of the bird is important. Several birders pointed out that the cap of the Eilat bird seems rather plain, supporting Redshank. A Greater Yellowlegs would show whitish streaking to the crown and a more contrasting pattern on the neck. The breast of the Eilat bird seems only lightly streaked (and is clearly affected by glare) again supporting Redshank. Greater Yellowlegs shows more prominent, distinct streaking to the breast.

* Several of our European readers commented that the bill seems slightly long for a Redshank which might add confusion. This might be a Sub-specific matter though. A quick word about Common Redshank Tringa Totanus subspecies is Israel. The vast majority of Redshanks seen in Israel are of the nominate subspecies T.t.totanus which breed throughout W Europe and are common migrants and winter visitors. The more eastern race T.t. ussuriensis which breeds in CIS east of Urals and across central Asia is also a fairly common migrant and winter visitor in Israel, but is not as well known to birders in W Europe.

The differences between the subspecies are rather minor but involve wing and bill length, and general colour. It is interesting to note that the Eilat bird is rather pale and that, along with the relatively long bill, might suggest ussuriensis which has a slightly longer bill on average.

In conclusion, there seems to be general agreement that the Eilat bird is a juvenile Common Redshank rather than Greater Yellowlegs or anything else. We were all quite excited as the images were posted and we each jumped to our own conclusions. Some very keen birders stumped on this one at first and this comes to show that a methodic, serious approach is necessary and multiple opinions are a must.

We would like to thank our readers for all your helpful comments, ideas and related information on this issue, which we all learned from.

Jonathan Meyrav and the Birdingisrael team.

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)