Pikkukuovi / Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

11 photos.

(1.) Nominate phaeopus in winter. The bird seems to be in moult with the outer primaries still growing. 18 January 2005 The Gambia.

(2.) Nominate phaeopus in summer. Similar but more worn than in photo 1. The flanks are much more strongly barred. The bill is totally dark during summer. According to BWP, this species possibly only has one moult in a year, unlike most waders. 20 June 2006 Komi, Russia.

(3.) Variegatus. Very similar to photo 2, but with darker tail. 27 April 2006 Yehliao, Taiwan.

(4.) Hudsonicus. The supercilium is paler and more contrasting. The lateral crown stripes are darker. 29 January 2001 California, USA

(5.) Hudsonicus. The dark stripe behind the eye is slightly more conspicious than in other subspecies. 29 January 2001 California, USA

(6.) Phaeopus. A wide, white rump and a quite pale tail.17 November 2002 Oman.

(7.) Phaeopus. A large white area on the rump and a pale tail. 18 January 2005 The Gambia.

(8.)Variegatus. A dark tail. 30 April 2006 Hong Kong. (hudsonicus have no white on rump at all) (with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa melanuroides)

(9.) Phaeopus. A quite large white area on the underwing-coverts. The same individual as in photo 7. 18 January 2005 The Gambia.

(10.) Phaeopus. White bars are much broader than the black bars on the axillaries. The same individual as in photo 2. 20 June 2006 Komi, Russia.

(11.) Variegatus. More barred underside of the wing than in nominate. No large whitish areas and the black bars are about as wide as the white bars on the axillaries. 16 April 2006 Hong Kong. (hudsonicus have brownish ground-colour on underwing).