Side by side

 

 

A couple of days ago I noticed a few shorebirds in the distance on the rocky shore.  At first I thought all three were going to be Wandering Tattlers (Tringa incana), but with a closer view I could see that one of the birds looked different.

You can compare the two species in the photos above and below.  Note the shade of gray, the amount of pale feather edging, the facial markings around the eye, and the bill length and thickness.  In the photo below you might also be able to compare the leg color.

 

 

 

I usually encounter Red Knots (Calidris canutus) on the tidal flats in Bodega Harbor, so I haven't seen these two species side by side very often. 

The Wandering Tattler is darker gray, shows more subtle pale feather edges (so looks less "scaly"), has more substantial white markings encircling the eye, has a slightly long and thicker (less tapered) bill, and has yellower legs.

The Red Knot is paler gray, has extensive pale feather edges (so looks very "scaly"), has more subtle markings around the eye (but does have a dark line through the eye and pale line above the eye), has a slightly shorter and more tapered bill, and has greenish-yellow legs.

Now I'll show one photo of each so you can guess which is which:

 

 

 

 

 

Nicely done!  The first of the two photos shows a Red Knot and the second shows a Wandering Tattler.  Both of these birds are juveniles. 

Although knot so obvious from a distance, now that you know what to look for, it will be easier to help anyone who is wandering how to tell these juvenile shorebirds apart.  ;)