© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Gambia, 2013

Bird name: African Jacana
Latin: Actophilornis africanus
Other: Jacana à poitrine dorée (Fr), jacana africana (Es), jacana-africana (Pt), Blaustirn-Blatthühnchen (De), grootlangtoon (Af)
Family: Jacanidae • Jacanas
Range: Sub-saharan Africa incl Gambia
Similar:

The African Jacana breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Like all Jacanas it is able to walk over floating lily pads and other floating vegetation.

In Gambia, it was quite common in locations with floating vegetation, but surprisingly difficult to photograph.

The adult African Jacana has a blue frontal head shield, white face and neck, black eye stripe and nape, the juvenile is light brown.

African Jacana walking on lily pads, Gambia, Feb 2013


Juvenile African Jacana is all brown, Kartong, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Black Winged Stilt
Latin: Himantopus himantopus
Other: Echasse Blanche (fr), cigüeñuela común (Es), pernilongo (Pt), Stelzenläufer (De), cavaliere d'Italia (It), steltkluut (Nl)
Family: Recurvirostridae - Stilts, Avocets
Range: W Europe, Med, C Asia, to sub-Saharan Africa, S & SE Asia
Similar:

Many Black-winged Stilts seen in Gambia in February, especially at the Kotu sewage ponds. Also Hyères, France, May.

Black-winged Stilts are easily identified by their very long pink legs and long thin straight black bill. Various amounts of black and white on head and neck, depending on sex, age and regional variations.

Black-winged Stilt in flight, Hyeres • May 2009


Black-winged Stilts have exceedingly long legs, Kotu sewage dump, Gambia, Feb 2013


Black-winged Stilt in flight, Hyeres, France • May 2009



More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Black Headed Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus tectus
Other: Black-headed Plover, Vanneau à tête noire (Fr), Schwarzschopfkiebitz (De), pavoncella testanera (It)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal, Gambia, to Ethiopia.
Similar: Spur-winged Lapwing

The Black-headed Lapwing was found on arid ground, a habitat it often feeds in. We saw them up river, including on MacCarthy Island.

The Black-headed Lapwing has bright pink legs, bill base and forehead. Long black crest, yellow iris.

© Black-headed Lapwing, near Janjanbureh, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Spur Winged Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus spinosus
Other: Spur-winged Plover, Vanneau à éperons (fr), Spornkiebitz (De)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: E Mediterranean to Arabian Peninsular and sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Spur-winged Lapwing has shoulder spurs, which it uses to charge down predators and intruders, but they are generally not visible.

In Gambia the Spur-winged Lapwing was one of the most typical birds near water, irrigated gardens etc. Seen in most locations with water.

Spur-winged Lapwing, Gambia, Feb 2013.


Spur-winged Lapwing, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: African Wattled Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus senegallus
Other: Vanneau du Sénégal (fr)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: Sub-saharan Africa
Similar:

The African Wattled Lapwing is a large lapwing with bright yellow wattles and red forehead. Marakissa River Camp was a good location to see these birds, in the Gambia.

African Wattled Lapwing, Marakissa, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Grey Plover
Latin: Pluvialis squatarola
Other: Black Bellied Plover (US) • Pluvier argenté (Fr), chorlito gris (Es), tarambola-cinzenta (Pt), Kustpiparen (Sv), Tundralo (No)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: Worldwide
Similar: American Golden Plover

Above, Grey Plover feeding on exposed rocks at low tide, in the Gambia, February.

Below, Grey Plover (or Black-Bellied Plover) were seen on the beach by the airport in Panama City in good numbers, mixed with other seabirds, in May.

In full breeding plumage they have a well-defined black band running from face to belly. The others are in non-breeding plumage.

Grey Plover breed in the Arctic and migrate to southern coastlines worldwide in the northern winter.

Costa del Este, Panama, 9 May 2010
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: American Golden Plover
Latin: Pluvialis dominica
Other: Batuiruçu (Br) • Batuíra-do-campo (Br) • Chorlito dorado chico (Es) • Chorlo pampa (Es) • Other Pt: Tarambola-dourada-pequena • Tarambola-dourada-americana
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: Arctic tundra: Canada, Alaska, migrates to S America, mostly Patagonia.
Similar: Grey Plover

The photo above was taken in southern Brazil in November, so in non-breeding plumage.

The American Golden Plover has a strong white eyebrow, dark legs. Relatively, smaller bill and bigger eye than the sandpipers. A medium-sized bird, but smaller than a Southern Lapwing.

Below, a rare vagrant American Golden Plover in the Kartong Wetlands, Gambia.

Below, vagrant American Plover, Gambia, Mar 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Common Ringed Plover
Latin: Charadrius hiaticula
Other: Pluvier Grand Gravelot (fr), chorlitejo grande (Es), borrelho-grande-de-coleira (Pt), Sandregenpfeifer (De), Större strandpipare (Sv)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: N Eurasia, Arctic Canada, migrating S to Africa etc
Similar: Little Ringed Plover, Semipalmated Plover

Above, Common Ringed Plovers on beach in Gambia. Identified by orange legs, broad white supercilium (non-breeding plumage), orange bill base (breeding plumage).

Common Ringed Plover in flight as they swept past the mouth of the Var in Nice…

Common Ringed Plover in flight, Var in Nice… France • Mar 2009


Common Ringed Plover with Sanderling behind, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© AW - monacoeye • Iceland, May.

Bird name: Semipalmated Plover
Latin: Charadrius semipalmatus
Other: Batuíra-de-bando (Br) • Chorlo Semipalmado (Es)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings & Plovers
Range: Arctic, migrating S to US and S America
Similar: Common Ringed Plover

Semipalmated Plover look very similar to Common Ringed Plover so treat these IDs with caution.

Above Semipalmated Plover in Iceland ?

Although the Semipalmated Plover is marked as a vagrant to Brazil in some guides, it is in fact present the length of the Brazilian coastline.

The (presumed) Semipalmated Plover below were photographed on the beach near Lagoa do Peixe in Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, in November.

They were identified by their collar, small amount of yellow at base of bill and yellowish legs.

Semipalmated Plover migrate from Arctic breeding grounds to the US and South America during the northern winter.

Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Whimbrel
Latin: Numenius phaeopus
Other: Maçarico-galego (Br) • Zarapito trinador (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers, Curlews
Range: Worldwide
Similar:

Great views of Whimbrels on the beach in Gambia in February. A large wader with a long curved bill.

They breed in the sub-Arctic and migrate to southern coastlines, worldwide.


Below, Whimbrels often stand on one leg and tuck their bills in. Gambia.


Below, Whimbrels often stand on one leg, Tujereng, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved, Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Sanderling
Latin: Calidris alba
Other: Bécasseau Sanderling (Fr) • Maçarico-branco (Br) • Correlimos tridáctilo (Es) • Playerito blanco
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers, Curlews
Range: Worldwide
Similar:

Another long distance migrant, the Sanderling breeds in the Arctic Circle and then heads to southern Europe, South America, Africa and Australia during the Arctic winter. I’ve seen one in Nice, in May, presumably migrating north.

The photo above was taken in Mostardas in southern Brazil in November. The Sanderling in non-breeding plumage has tones of light grey, with a dark shoulder and a wide white wing bar, which is visible in flight. The head is light, and chest and belly white. Breeding plumage is different … darker and more rufous.

Sanderlings feed on the beach just beyond the breaking wave, running back and forth as the water advances and recedes.

Below, Sanderlings in Gambia, Feb.


Below, Sanderling at sunset, Zaandvort, Holland.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Wood Sandpiper
Latin: Tringa glareola
Other: Chevalier sylvain (Fr), andarríos bastardo (Fr), maçarico-bastardo (Pt), Bruchwasserläufer (De), piro-piro boschereccio (It), bosruiter (Nl), Grönbena (Sv), Grønnstilk (No), Łęczak (Po)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Europe, Asia, India to Africa etc
Similar: Green Sandpiper

Good views of Wood Sandpiper at Kartong Bird Observatory. White band running behind eye.

More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Marsh Sandpiper
Latin: Tringa stagnatilis
Other: Chevalier stagnatile (Fr), Archibebe fino (Es), Teichwasserläufer (De), albastrello (It), Bataklık düdükçünü (Tu)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar: Wood Sandpiper

Again, a bit of a distance, but no mistaking this Marsh Sandpiper with its fine bill and delicate frame.

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Green Sandpiper
Latin: Tringa ochropus
Other: Chevalier cul-blanc (Fr), andarríos grande (Es), maçarico-bique-bique (Pt), Waldwasserläufer (De), witgat (Nl), Skogssnäppa (Sv), Skogsnipe (No)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Europe, Asia, India, Africa
Similar: Wood sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper (America)

This Green Sandpiper was a bit too distant for photos. Also seen upriver. White ring around the eye.

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Common Sandpiper
Latin: Actitis hypoleucos
Other: Andarríos chico (Es) • Chevalier guignette (Fr) • Piro piro piccolo (it) • Flussuferläufer (De) • Maçarico-das-rochas (Pt)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Breeding widespread Eurasia - migrates to Africa, Asia, Australasia, also Middle East

I saw the Common Sandpiper several times in the Gambia - Fajara, Tendaba etc.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Spotted Redshank
Latin: Tringa erythropus
Other: Chevalier arlequin (Fr), Archibebe Oscuro (Es), perna-vermelha-escuro (Pt), totano moro (It), Dunkle Wasserläufer, Svartsnäppa (Sv), Sotsnipe (No)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Scandinavia, N Asia, migrates to Mediterranean tropical Africa, Asia etc
Similar: Redshank, Greenshank

There were a few Spotted Redshanks in among the more numerous Greenshanks at one lake upriver.

In the photo above, the Spotted Redshank is the slightly smaller bird in the centre, with a red base to the bill. The others are Greenshanks. In breeding plumage it turns mostly black.

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Common Greenshank
Latin: Tringa nebularia
Other: Chevalier aboyeur (fr), archibebe claro (es), perna-verde-comum (pt), Grünschenkel (De), groenpootruiter (Nl), Gluttsnäppa (Sv), Gluttsnipe (No)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar: Spotted Redshank

The Common Greenshank was the most common of the Tringa waders that we saw in Gambia. Upriver and in wetlands, like Kartong. Slightly upturned bill. Stockier than the Spotted Redshank. Yellow green legs. Black bill.

Greenshank at Kartong Bird Observatory, Gambia, Mar 2013


Several Greenshanks with egrets, stilts, herons and the odd Redshank, Gambia, Mar 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Ruddy Turnstone
Latin: Arenaria interpres
Other: Turnstone (UK) • Rola-do-mar, vira-pedras (Pt) • Tournepierre à collier (Fr) • Steinwälzer (De) • Vuelvepiedras común (Es) • Steenloper (Nl) • Roskarl (Sv)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Breeds N coastlines, eg Scandinavia, Iceland, Alaska, migrating S worldwide eg Washington, Brazil, China, Japan, Gambia
Similar:

The Turnstone is identifiable by orange legs and dark chest pattern and its behaviour of flipping over stones when looking for insects or crustaceans.

Above, on beach in Gambia, February, with Sanderling..

Many thanks to Alexia for sending in the photos of Turnstones below, in non-breeding plumage, in Madeira, October, and coming into breeding plumage in Iceland, April.

Directly below, Ruddy Turnstone in Iceland, April, soon in full breeding plumage
More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Lesser Yellowlegs
Latin: Tringa flavipes
Other: Maçarica-de-perna-amarela (Br)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Americas
Similar: Greater Yellowlegs

The Lesser Yellowlegs breeds in the boreal forest between Alaska and Quebec and migrates to South America in the northern winter. It can be found throughout Brazil during this time.

Quite a tall bird, it’s a bit slimmer than the similar looking Greater Yellowlegs. The Lesser Yellowlegs also has a proportionately smaller bill. In flight its white rump can be seen, which gets darker at the tip. Its feet protrude past the tail in flight too.

Also seen in the mountains in Ecuador

More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2011

Bird name: Common Redshank
Latin: Tringa totanus
Other: Redshank (UK) • Chevalier gambette (Fr) • Rotschenkel (De) • Archibebe común (Es) • Pettegola (It) • Tureluur (Nl) • Rödbena (Sv) • Cacongo (Pt)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: West and Central Eurasia to SW Europe, Africa, Asia
Similar:

The Common Redshank is readily identifiable by its red legs and bill base. Appears to step on the water while feeding.

A wonderful shot from Iceland above, and below on the Cote d’Azur in May.More photos...

© monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Solitary Sandpiper
Latin: Tringa solitaria
Other: Maçarico-solitário (Br) • Andarríos solitario, pitotoy solitario, tigüiza (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: North America migrating to South America - Brazil etc
Similar: Spotted Sandpiper

The Solitary Sandpiper has uniform brown wings (no bars) in flight, differentiating it from the Spotted Sandpiper. Spots on back and mottled around neck.

This Solitary Sandpiper was seen near Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal.More photos...

Copyright: DK/monacoeye • Chile • April 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Baird's Sandpiper
Latin: Calidris bairdii
Other: Playero de Baird (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Americas
Similar:

Nice shot of a Baird’s Sandpiper in the Salar de Atacama, Chile, sent in by Dirk.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Iceland, May 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Knot
Latin: Calidris canutus
Other: Knot (UK) • Bécasseau maubèche (Fr) • Knutt (De) • Correlimos gordo (Es) • Piovanello maggiore (It) • Kanoet (Nl) • Kustsnäppa (Sv) • Seixoeira (Pt)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: N North America, Eurasia - South America, Europe, Africa, Australasia, Iceland
Similar:

A group of knot in Iceland, presumably Calidris canutus islandica, the local subspecies. This plumage looks midway between grey winter plumage and the bright red chest of summer breeding plumage.More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved • Chagres River, Panama, May 2010

Bird name: Spotted Sandpiper
Latin: Actitis macularius
Other: Maçarico-maculado (Pt) • Maçarico-pintado (Br) • Playero manchado (Es), andarríos maculado
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: North, Central and South America
Similar:

The Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage seen here has attractive black spots on a white belly and brown upperside. Yellowish legs, orange bill with black tip. Seen by rivers in central and western Panama in May. More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Pectoral Sandpiper
Latin: Calidris melanotos
Other: Maçarico-de-colete (Br) • Pilrito-peitoral • Pilrito-de-colete• Playerito pectoral (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range:
Similar:

The Pectoral Sandpiper is an Arctic migrant. It has a strongly demarcated line across its chest, hence its name. Its bill curves downwards slightly and is light brown at the base. It has yellowish legs and a weak supercilium. It is a small wader but large for a Calidris.More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: White Rumped Sandpiper
Latin: Calidris fuscicollis
Other: Erolia fuscicollis • Maçarico-de-sobre-branco (Br) • Pilrito-de-uropígio-branco
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range:
Similar:

The White-rumped Sandpiper is another long distance migrant. Groups were seen feeding on the beach near Lagoa do Peixe in November. Below, you can see White-rumped Sandpipers are about the same size as Semipalmated Plovers.

The white rump is diagnostic in flight (see below). Otherwise a long wing projection, dark legs and white supercilium are other features. I’ve included a few different birds showing colour variations, at the same time of the year.



More photos...

© monacoeye • All rights reserved. Mostardas, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Buff Breasted Sandpiper
Latin: Tryngites subruficollis
Other: Maçarico-acanelado (Br) • Correlimos Canelo (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range:
Similar:

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the Arctic tundra, and “wintering” (spending the southern hemisphere summer) in southern South America. In Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul is the best place to see it.

Not really sure what the key diagnostic features are (I asked someone to ID these) other than yellow legs and dark bill, but bill length and colour are sure to play a part.


More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Guapi Assu, Sep 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Giant Snipe
Latin: Gallinago undulata
Other: Narcejão (Br) • Caica gigante, becasina gigante (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Snipes
Range: South America - Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil etc
Similar: South American Snipe

Birdwatching often transports you to extraordinary situations - my encounter with the Giant Snipe was one such event.

The Giant Snipe is a difficult bird to see during the day - it’s shy and hides in long grasses and channels. So three of us set off from Regua, in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro state, a little before dusk, with flashlights and ipod, to a certain field where the Giant Snipe was known to live…

The Giant Snipe is a large bird with a very long bill, and rich brown stripes on its back, distinguishing it from the South American Snipe. I understand there are separate populations, two of the nominate subspecies centred in northern South America, and another in the southeast of Brazil of Gallinago undulata gigantea seen here.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, May 2011

Bird name: European Golden Plover
Latin: Pluvialis apricaria
Other: Pluvier doré (Fr) • Goldregenpfeifer (De) • Chorlito dorado común (Es) • Piviere dorato (It) • Goudplevier (Nl) • Ljungpipare (Sv) • Tarambola-dourada (Pt)
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers & Lapwing, Waders
Range: Breeds Iceland, UK, Scandinavia, Russia etc, winters further south.
Similar: Pacific Golden Plover, American Golden Plover

A lovely shot above of a European Golden Plover in breeding plumage in Iceland, early May.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2011

Bird name: Eurasian Oystercatcher
Latin: Haematopus ostralegus
Other: Oystercatcher (UK) • Huitrier Pie (Fr) • Austernfischer (De) • Ostrero común euroasiático (Es) • Beccaccia di mare (It) • Scholekster (Nl) • Strandskata (Sv) • Ostraceiro-europeu (Pt)
Family: Haematopodidae • Oystercatchers
Range: Eurasian and African coasts, central Asia
Similar:

A nice shot of a Eurasian Oystercatcher on the Reykjanes Peninsular in Iceland from Alexia. In more photos one flying by the Black Sea, on the Romania and Ukraine border.More photos...

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Iceland, May 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Black-tailed Godwit
Latin: Limosa limosa
Other: Barge à queue noire (Fr) • aguja colinegra (Es) • pittima reale (It) • Grutto (Nl) • Rödspov (Sv) • Maçarico-de-bico-direito (Pt)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Godwits
Range: Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia, Iceland
Similar: Bar-tailed Godwit
Status: Near-threatened (IUCN 3.1)

A gorgeous photo of a Black-tailed Godwit in Iceland sent in by Alexia.

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Iceland, May 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Snipe
Latin: Gallinago gallinago
Other: Bécassine des marais (Fr) • Bekassine (De) • Agachadiza común (Es) • Beccaccino (It) • Watersnip (Nl) • Enkelbeckasin (Sv) • Narceja-comum (Pt)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders, Snipes
Range: Widespread Eurasia - S Europe, Africa, Asia, Iceland
Similar: Wilson’s Snipe

The Common Snipe was photographed in Iceland, so presumably subspecies Gallinago gallinago faeroeensis.

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice, France • Jan 2009

Bird name: Northern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus vanellus
Other: Lapwing • Vanneau Huppé (Fr) • Kiebitz (De) • Avefría europea (Es) • Abibe-comum (Pt)
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwing
Range: Widespread Eurasia to China, North Africa. Breeds Scandinavia, Russia, Mongolia etc.

I saw the flock of Northern Lapwing below in the middle of the Var in Nice in the winter. The flock seemed to fly in a linear pattern. Also seen on banks in the Danube Delta, above, in May. The Northern Lapwing develops long head feathers in breeding plumage. Some greenish sheen to feathers. White and black below.

More photos...

Copyright: AT/monacoeye • Point Reyes, December • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Marbled Godwit
Latin: Limosa fedoa
Other: Picopando canelo (Es)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders
Range: Canada, migrating south to USA, Mexico, South America

The Marbled Godwit is a large wader with long pinkish bill with black tip. Seen here in California.

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Costa del Este, Panama, 9 May 2010

Bird name: Willet
Latin: Tringa semipalmata
Other: Maçarico-de-asa-branca (Br)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders
Range: North, Central, South America

Willets seen on the Costa del Este beach in Panama City near the airport.

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro Crater • Oct 2009

Bird name: Blacksmith Plover
Latin: Vanellus armatus
Other: Blacksmith Lapwing
Family: Charadridae • Lapwings

The Blacksmith Plover is quite abundant in Kenya wetlands. Seen here in the Ngorongoro Crater.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Crowned Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus coronatus
Other: Crowned Plover
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings

The Crowned Lapwing is easily identifiable by the white band on its crown.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Long Toed Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus crassrostris
Other:
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings

The Long-toed Lapwing photographed here by André in Amboseli, Kenya. There are 24 species of Lapwing in the world.More photos...

© GW monacoeye • All rights reserved, Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: White Backed Stilt
Latin: Himantopus melanurus
Other: Pernilongo-de-costas-brancas (Br)
Family: Recurvirostridae - Stilts, Avocets
Range: Peru & NE Brazil to SC Argentina
Similar:

The White-crowned Stilt is a subspecies of Black-necked Stilt, distinguished by its white crown and found in southern Southern America. The nominate subspecies - Black-necked Stilt - is found throughout the Americas, and sometimes also considered a subspecies of Black-winged Stilt.



More photos...

© GW monacoeye • All rights reserved, Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Black Necked Stilt
Latin: Himantopus mexicanus
Other: Pernilongo-de-costas-negras (Br)
Family: Recurvirostridae - Stilts, Avocets
Range:
Similar:

The Black-necked Stilt is found throughout the Americas, and sometimes also considered a subspecies of Black-winged Stilt. Pictured here is the southern subspecies the White Crowned Stilt.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe + • November 2009

Bird name: Southern Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus chilensis
Other: Tero (Uruguay) • Quero Quero (Brazil) • Other Es: Avefría, Fraile, Queltehue, Teruteru, Traile, Treile, Trel, Caravana, Alcaravan, Triel
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

The Southern Lapwing is common and visible throughout Brazil, on farmland, pasture, wetlands, etc. During nesting season, pairs chase potential predators such as hawks, caracaras and gulls - so they are a useful indicator of approaching birds of prey.

They have small pink spurs on their wrists. I saw one Caracara, which had stolen an egg, cleverly taking shelter next to a fence so that it couldn’t be dive-bombed by an aggressive Lapwing.

The Southern Lapwing is the national bird of Uruguay.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe, RS • November 2009

Bird name: Collared Plover
Latin: Charadrius collaris
Other: Batuíra-de-colleira (Br)
Family: Charadriidae • Plovers

The Collared Plover, which is the most widespread Charadrius plover in Brazil, is characterised by a thin black collar which does not run round the back of the neck, yellow legs and black bill, even during breeding season.

The Collared Plover breeds in Mexico and throughout most of Central and South America, at different times of the year depending on location.

These individuals were seen a few hundred yards from the beach, in southern Brazil in November.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: South American Snipe
Latin: Gallinago paraguaiae
Other: Magellan Snipe • Narceja-sul-americana (Br) • Narceja
Family: Scolopacidae • Snipes

The South American Snipe can be distinguished from the Giant Snipe by its yellowish legs. In addition the Giant Snipe has a flatter forehead.

This individual was in grass near a lake. He was not easy to photograph, remaining upright and visible for a couple of seconds after moving, before ducking down and disappearing completely from view, despite being a medium-sized bird. Fortunately he did this twice giving me an opportunity to take a photo on the second occasion.

The South American Snipe is found in most of South America, away from the Pacific coast.More photos...

Bird name: Kentish Plover
Latin: Charadrius alexandrinus
Other: Pluvier / Gravelot à collier interrompu
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

Photos: monacoeye • Hyeres • May 2009

This Kentish Plover was at some distance on a salt pan in Hyeres, hopefully I’ll get a better shot eventually …More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Camargue, France • Mar 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Ringed Plover
Latin: Charadrius dubius
Other: Petit Gravelot • Pluvier Petit Gravelot
Family: Charadriidae
Tags: Plovers & Lapwing • Waders

The Little Ringed Plover is principally distinguished from the similar Ringed Plover by its dark beak (vs orange for Ringed) and duller legs. The Little Ringed also has less of a white stripe on the wings. Both Ringed and Little Ringed were seen together a couple of weeks ago in the Camargue.More photos...

058 Charadriidae - Plovers - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Vanellus vanellus - Northern Lapwing - Widespread Eurasia - N Africa
Vanellus crassirostris - Long-toed Lapwing - C, E, SE Africa
Vanellus armatus - Blacksmith Lapwing - S, SC Africa
Vanellus spinosus - Spur-winged Lapwing - E, C, W, Africa, also Middle East
Vanellus duvaucelii - River Lapwing - NC India through Southeast Asia
Vanellus tectus - Black-headed Lapwing - E, C, W Africa
Vanellus malabaricus - Yellow-wattled Lapwing - India
Vanellus albiceps - White-crowned Lapwing - SE, WC, W Africa
Vanellus lugubris - Senegal Lapwing - SE, C, W Africa
Vanellus melanopterus - Black-winged Lapwing - E, SE Africa
Vanellus coronatus - Crowned Lapwing - E, S Africa
Vanellus senegallus - African Wattled Lapwing - Widespread Africa
Vanellus melanocephalus - Spot-breasted Lapwing - Ethiopia
Vanellus superciliosus - Brown-chested Lapwing - C, WC Africa
Vanellus cinereus - Grey-headed Lapwing - E Eurasia - Asia
Vanellus indicus - Red-wattled Lapwing - Widespread Asia, also Middle East
Vanellus macropterus - Javan Lapwing - Java
Vanellus tricolor - Banded Lapwing - SW, S, SE Australia
Vanellus miles - Masked Lapwing - Widespread Australasia
Vanellus gregarius - Sociable Lapwing - C Eurasia - N India, NE Africa
Vanellus leucurus - White-tailed Lapwing - C Eurasia - N India, NE Africa
Vanellus chilensis - Southern Lapwing - Widespread South America
Vanellus resplendens - Andean Lapwing - Colombia to NW Argentina

Erythrogonys cinctus - Red-kneed Dotterel - Australia, S New Guinea

Pluvialis plovers not Charadriidae
Pluvialis apricaria - European Golden Plover - NW Eurasia - S Europe, N Africa
Pluvialis fulva - Pacific Golden Plover - N, Eurasia, also Alaska - Asia, Australasia
Pluvialis dominica - American Golden Plover - N North America - S South America
Pluvialis squatarola - Grey Plover - N North America, Eurasia - worldwide

Charadrius obscurus - New Zealand Plover - New Zealand
Charadrius hiaticula - Common Ringed Plover - N, Eurasia, also NE Canada - SW EU, Africa
Charadrius semipalmatus - Semipalmated Plover - N North America - S North America, Latin America
Charadrius placidus - Long-billed Plover - E Eurasia - Southeast Asia
Charadrius dubius - Little Ringed Plover - Widespread Eurasia, Asia - Africa
Charadrius wilsonia - Wilson's Plover - coastal E, SW USA to E Brazil, Peru
Charadrius vociferus - Killdeer - Alaska & C Canada to Peru
Charadrius melodus - Piping Plover - E, C North America - SE South America, Mexico
Charadrius thoracicus - Madagascar Plover - Madagascar
Charadrius pecuarius - Kittlitz's Plover - Widespread Africa
Charadrius sanctaehelenae - St. Helena Plover - St. Helena Island
Charadrius tricollaris - Three-banded Plover - S, E Africa
Charadrius forbesi - Forbes's Plover - C, WC, W Africa
Charadrius marginatus - White-fronted Plover - Widespread Africa
Charadrius alexandrinus - Kentish Plover - Widespread Eurasia, Africa, Asia - Kentish Plover distinct from Snowy Plover, related to White-fronted Plover
Charadrius nivosus - Snowy Plover - C Canada to Panama, Peru to SC Chile
Charadrius javanicus - Javan Plover - Java
Charadrius ruficapillus - Red-capped Plover - Australia
Charadrius peronii - Malaysian Plover - Malay Peninsula to Philippines & Lesser Sundas
Charadrius pallidus - Chestnut-banded Plover - S Africa
Charadrius collaris - Collared Plover - Widespread Latin America
Charadrius alticola - Puna Plover - Peru to NW Argentina
Charadrius falklandicus - Two-banded Plover - Southern Cone
Charadrius bicinctus - Double-banded Plover - Widespread Australasia
Charadrius mongolus - Lesser Sand Plover - C, E Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Charadrius leschenaultii - Greater Sand Plover - C Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Charadrius asiaticus - Caspian Plover - WC Eurasia - Africa
Charadrius veredus - Oriental Plover - EC Eurasia - Greater Sundas to Australia
Charadrius morinellus - Eurasian Dotterel - N, C Eurasia - N Africa
Charadrius modestus - Rufous-chested Plover - Southern Cone
Charadrius montanus - Mountain Plover - C North America - SW South America, N Mexico
Charadrius australis - Inland Plover - Australia

Thinornis rubricollis - Hooded Dotterel - S Australia
Thinornis novaeseelandiae - Shore Dotterel - Chatham Islands

Elseyornis melanops - Black-fronted Dotterel - Widespread Australasia

Oreopholus ruficollis - Tawny-throated Dotterel - W, S South America

Anarhynchus frontalis - Wrybill - New Zealand

Phegornis mitchellii - Diademed Plover - Peru to SC Chile & Argentina

Hoploxypterus cayanus - Pied Plover - E Colombia to SE Brazil

064 Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers, Snipes, Curlews - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Scolopax rusticola - Eurasian Woodcock - Widespread Eurasia - Asia, N Africa
Scolopax mira - Amami Woodcock - Ryukyu Islands
Scolopax saturata - Javan Woodcock - Sumatra, Java
Scolopax rosenbergii - New Guinea Woodcock - New Guinea
Scolopax bukidnonensis - Bukidnon Woodcock - Philippines
Scolopax celebensis - Sulawesi Woodcock - Sulawesi
Scolopax rochussenii - Moluccan Woodcock - Moluccas
Scolopax minor - American Woodcock - E, SE North America

Coenocorypha pusilla - Chatham Snipe - Chatham Islands
Coenocorypha iredalei - South Island Snipe - Small islands of Stewart Is., NZ Australasia - Split from C. aucklandica; recently extinct
Coenocorypha huegeli - Snares Snipe - Snares Is., NZ Australasia - Split from C. aucklandica
Coenocorypha aucklandica - Subantarctic Snipe - Antipodes Is., Auckland Is. NZ Australasia - New name

Lymnocryptes minimus - Jack Snipe - C, W Eurasia - Asia, Africa

Gallinago solitaria - Solitary Snipe - C, E Eurasia - N Asia
Gallinago hardwickii - Latham's Snipe - E Eurasia - E Australia
Gallinago nemoricola - Wood Snipe - S Himalayas to E India & N Vietnam
Gallinago stenura - Pin-tailed Snipe - NE Eurasia - Asia
Gallinago megala - Swinhoe's Snipe - C Eurasia - Asia, Australasia
Gallinago nigripennis - African Snipe - E, SC, S Africa
Gallinago macrodactyla - Madagascar Snipe - Madagascar
Gallinago media - Great Snipe - NW Eurasia - Africa
Gallinago gallinago - Common Snipe - Widespread Eurasia - S Europe, Africa, Asia
Gallinago delicata - Wilson's Snipe - Widespread North America, Latin America to NW South America
Gallinago paraguaiae - South American Snipe - Widespread South America
Gallinago andina - Puna Snipe - Peru to NW Argentina
Gallinago nobilis - Noble Snipe - Venezuela, Colombia
Gallinago undulata - Giant Snipe - N, SE South America
Gallinago stricklandii - Fuegian Snipe - extreme S South America
Gallinago jamesoni - Andean Snipe - Venezuela to Bolivia
Gallinago imperialis - Imperial Snipe - Colombia, Peru

Limnodromus griseus - Short-billed Dowitcher - N North America - S South America, Latin America
Limnodromus scolopaceus - Long-billed Dowitcher - NE, Eurasia, also Alaska - S South America, Central America
Limnodromus semipalmatus - Asian Dowitcher - C Eurasia - Asia, Australasia

Limosa limosa - Black-tailed Godwit - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Limosa haemastica - Hudsonian Godwit - N North America - Southern Cone
Limosa lapponica - Bar-tailed Godwit - N, Eurasia, also Alaska - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Limosa fedoa - Marbled Godwit - C North America - S South America, Central America

Numenius minutus - Little Curlew - NE Eurasia - Australasia
Numenius borealis - Eskimo Curlew - NC North America - SE South America
Numenius phaeopus - Whimbrel - N North America, Eurasia - widespread
Numenius tahitiensis - Bristle-thighed Curlew - Alaska - C, S Pacific Islands
Numenius tenuirostris - Slender-billed Curlew - C Eurasia - N Africa
Numenius arquata - Eurasian Curlew - C, W Eurasia - Africa, Asia
Numenius madagascariensis - Eastern Curlew - NE Eurasia - Australasia
Numenius americanus - Long-billed Curlew - W, WC North America - S South America through Central America

Bartramia longicauda - Upland Sandpiper - EC, C, NW North America - SE South America

Tringa erythropus - Spotted Redshank - N Eurasia - SW EU, Africa, Asia
Tringa totanus - Common Redshank - W, C Eurasia - SW EU, Africa, Asia
Tringa stagnatilis - Marsh Sandpiper - C Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Tringa nebularia - Common Greenshank - Widespread Eurasia - SW EU, Africa, Asia, Australasia
Tringa guttifer - Nordmann's Greenshank - E Eurasia - Asia
Tringa melanoleuca - Greater Yellowlegs - N North America - S South America, Latin America
Tringa flavipes - Lesser Yellowlegs - N North America - S South America, Latin America
Tringa ochropus - Green Sandpiper - Widespread Eurasia - SW EU, Africa, Asia
Tringa solitaria - Solitary Sandpiper - N North America - Latin America, also Caribbean
Tringa glareola - Wood Sandpiper - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia
Tringa brevipes - Grey-tailed Tattler - NE, NC Eurasia - Malay Peninsula through Australasia - Was Heteroscelus
Tringa incana - Wandering Tattler - NW North America - W South America, S Pacific islands
Tringa semipalmata - Willet - E, C, SE North America - SW North America, Latin America - Was Catoptrophorus

Xenus cinereus - Terek Sandpiper - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia, also Middle East

Actitis hypoleucos - Common Sandpiper - Widespread Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia, also Middle East
Actitis macularius - Spotted Sandpiper - Widespread North America - S South America through Latin America

Aechmorhynchus parvirostris - Tuamotu Sandpiper - Tuamotu Archipelago

Prosobonia leucoptera - Tahiti Sandpiper - Society Islands

Arenaria interpres - Ruddy Turnstone - N North America, Eurasia - Worldwide
Arenaria melanocephala - Black Turnstone - NW North America - W North America coast

Aphriza virgata - Surfbird - NW North America - W North America , Latin America coasts

Calidris tenuirostris - Great Knot - NE Eurasia - Asia, Australasia
Calidris canutus - Red Knot - N North America, Eurasia - South America, Europe, Africa, Australasia
Calidris alba - Sanderling - N North America, Eurasia - Worldwide
Calidris pusilla - Semipalmated Sandpiper - N North America - Latin America, Caribbean
Calidris mauri - Western Sandpiper - N North America - North America, Central America, N South America
Calidris ruficollis - Red-necked Stint - NE Eurasia - Asia, Australasia
Calidris minuta - Little Stint - N Eurasia - E EU, Africa, India
Calidris temminckii - Temminck's Stint - N Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Middle East
Calidris subminuta - Long-toed Stint - C, NE Eurasia - Asia, Australasia
Calidris minutilla - Least Sandpiper - N North America - S South America, Latin America
Calidris fuscicollis - White-rumped Sandpiper - N North America - Southern Cone
Calidris bairdii - Baird's Sandpiper - N North America - W, S South America
Calidris melanotos - Pectoral Sandpiper - N North America, Eurasia - Australasia, Southern Cone
Calidris acuminata - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - NE Eurasia - Australasia
Calidris ferruginea - Curlew Sandpiper - N Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia, also Middle East
Calidris maritima - Purple Sandpiper - N North America, Eurasia - E North America, W Europe
Calidris ptilocnemis - Rock Sandpiper - Eurasia, North America - W North America coast
Calidris alpina - Dunlin - N North America, Eurasia - S North America, Africa, S EU
Calidris himantopus - Stilt Sandpiper - N North America - SC South America

Eurynorhynchus pygmeus - Spoon-billed Sandpiper - NE Eurasia - Asia

Limicola falcinellus - Broad-billed Sandpiper - N Eurasia - Africa, Asia, Australasia, also Middle East

Tryngites subruficollis - Buff-breasted Sandpiper - N, North America, also NE Europe - SE South America

Philomachus pugnax - Ruff - N Eurasia - Africa, SW EU, India

Phalaropus tricolor - Wilson's Phalarope - C North America - S South America
Phalaropus lobatus - Red-necked Phalarope - N North America, Eurasia - W, E Pacific, N Indian Ocean
Phalaropus fulicarius - Red Phalarope - N North America, Eurasia - SE Pacific, SE Atlantic