Rare Bird Record #: 60-B-07
Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form
Species: Snowy Plover
Reporter: Jay Carlisle
6105 Kirkwood Rd
Boise, ID 83709
jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu
Other Observers: Debbie Leick & Jean Seymour
Date Report Prepared: 9-19-06
Date Sighting Occurred: 9-3-06 (and 9-5-06)
Locality of Observation: American Falls Reservoir, just up-reservoir from the ‘silo’
Habitat: mudflat
Conditions: clear & warm (80’s), relatively calm
Did you take notes? no
Did you consult a field guide or other reference work? during the observation
What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?
Sibley, National Geographic
Description: Clearly a plover based on shape (long legs, plump body); the short, dark bill; and the dark feathering on the sides of chest, forehead, and auriculars. The back was a pale gray-tan and the underparts were all white except for the small dark patches on the sides of the chest. The legs and bill were dark.
Behavior: The bird was foraging on the mudflat; it was feeding alone but was in the presence of many ‘peeps’ (Calidris sandpipers – especially Western but some Baird’s). It foraged by leaning over to peck at the ground in between short walks or runs. On a few occasions, I heard the soft ‘pu-wheep’ call.
How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? Immediately – the pale plumage combined with the dark legs & bill were sufficient.
How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Similar appearing plovers include Semipalmated and Piping (very unexpected) – both of which have orange legs. Semipalmated is also much darker brown above and has a complete breast band. Killdeer are much larger and have 2 complete breast bands.
Experience with this species (and similar species): I have observed well over 100 Snowy Plovers, including on the wintering grounds in California and Texas and breeding grounds in California and Oregon. I have seen at least 50 Piping Plovers from South Dakota to Texas to Connecticut. Lastly, I have hundreds of Semipalmated Plovers all over the US.
General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America
Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) No.
Note: I saw the same bird again on 9-5-06 and Bob Davis (Idaho Falls) posted to IBLE that he also saw it on 9-4-06.