The bill wasn't long enough for stilt sandpiper, and the water was so shallow the bird had to walk, although when it got to a slightly deeper spot it tried floating.I had no scope with me so could see no color except a brownish back. All I have in the car are ancient binoculars. PatPat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Jim Green <jkgbirdman53...> Date: 6/4/26 6:00 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Robert McLean <tmclean1090...> Cc: Pat <pvaldata1...>, Maryland DC Birding <mdbirding...> Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Phalarope question I guess I based it on swimming behavior. When I saw the phalarope was in shallow water and picking at surface. Ok look first at the bill. If it is about 2-3 inches long and straight and comes to a dull point. Look at the neck. Phalarope dark crimson/brown color. Bill on stilt sandpiper 4-5 inches and has a pronounced downward droop. Look at the underparts and stilt should have transverse barring and will have longer legs (and is approximate size of a lesser yellowlegs. Feeding behavior of sticks. It looks like it almost momentarily looks straight down before probing bill to feed. I suggest googling both birds for photos of each. On Thu, Jun 4, 2026 at 5:49 PM Robert McLean <tmclean1090...> wrote:Hi Pat,Well, almost invariably phalaropes swim. Is the water deep enough for swimming? Also a Red-necked Phalarope has much shorter legs than a Black-necked Stilt.Have you ruled out Stilt Sandpiper?Regards,Taylor McLeanBaltimore, MDSent from my iPhoneOn Jun 4, 2026, at 5:33 PM, Jim Green <jkgbirdman53...> wrote:Hi Pat. Yes that sounds like it. It is an adult female ( the females are more brightly colored than the males like kingfishers. JimOn Thu, Jun 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM Pat <pvaldata1...> wrote:I'm at Deal Island WMA and in the first pool on the right there's a shorebird with a very fast, nonstop feeding behavior, sweeping its bill through the water all the while. It's a little smaller than a Black-necked Stilt. Is this likely the Red- necked Phalarope?It's alone now but there was a stilt and a Glossy Ibis here a few minutes ago.Pat ValdataCrisfield, MDSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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