A few images of breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds

Since the shorebirds that breed to the north have started migrating back to the south I thought I would post some images of shorebirds that look quite different in breeding and nonbreeding plumage.

Dunlin in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

This is a Dunlin (Calidris alpina) in nonbreeding plumage, the image was taken at Fort De Soto's north beach in Florida during the month of December a few years ago. During the winter Dunlins have dull gray-brown backs and heads with light-colored streaked breasts. These hardy shorebirds winter along coastlines from southern Alaska south to Florida and Mexico.

Dunlin in breeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 160, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

This image shows a Dunlin in breeding plumage also taken at Fort De Soto's north beach in May a few years ago about the time this shorebird would start its migration to Arctic and sub-Arctic areas of Alaska where it breeds on the tundra near ponds.

Dunlins exhibit a vast difference between nonbreeding and breeding plumage, so different that a novice birder might mistakenly believe that they were two different species.

Ruddy Turnstone in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f8, 1/500, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 310mm, natural light

This is an image of a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) in nonbreeding plumage that was taken at Fort De Soto's north beach in Florida during the month of March a few years ago. The edges of the scapulars and coverts show wear, the face and back are brownish.

Male Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f9, 1/500, ISO 160, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 240mm, natural light

The image above shows a male Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage, this photo was also taken at Fort De Soto's north beach in the month of May a few years ago. Breeding males are brighter and more colorful than breeding females. The males are striking with their black, white and ruddy calico pattern.

During migration some Ruddy Turnstones do stop over in Utah but I haven't been able to approach them close enough to get quality images.

American Avocet in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, f8, 1/750, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

I photographed this American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) in nonbreeding plumage as it foraged in Glover's Pond at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area in northern Utah a few years ago in the month of November.

American Avocet in breeding plumage - Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

This image of an American Avocet was taken in August of last year at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana.  What a difference there is between the pale grayish head and neck of the nonbreeding Avocet to the apricot to cinnamon colored plumage that a breeding bird displays.

Personally I believe that American Avocets are stunning in any season of the year. (Okay, it isn't just Avocets I feel that way about, it is all birds)

Red Knot in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/640, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

 I photographed this Red Knot (Calidris canutus) in nonbreeding plumage in early morning light at Fort De Soto's north beach a few years ago in the month of September. I've heard people call them "dull" little shorebirds.

Red Knot in (near) breeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

This Red Knot is almost in breeding plumage, the image was taken in May of 2008 as it foraged along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. I very rarely saw Red Knots in full breeding colors there, but you can see the pale salmon color of the head, neck, chest and belly.

Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

I would not call a Sanderling (Calidris alba) in nonbreeding plumage dull but the soft grays and whites aren't very colorful. I took this image at Fort De Soto in the month of September a few years ago. I really liked the little droplet of water below the bill that I caught in mid air.

Sanderling in (near) breeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

Sanderlings look very different in breeding plumage, they are far more colorful with rufous on the neck, upper chest, head and back. This bird was photographed in a sea fog on Fort De Soto's north beach during the month of May. It is amazing how much difference a few months can make in how these tiny dynamos appear.

Black-bellied Plover in nonbreeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 370mm, natural light

This is a photo of a Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) in nonbreeding plumage taken in Florida during the month of December of 2008, they are beautiful shorebirds and the largest plover of North America.

Black-bellied Plover in (near) breeding plumage - Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

This Black-bellied Plover was photographed during the month of May in 2009 at Fort De Soto's north beach, it is pretty close to being in full breeding plumage and probably soon after this image was created the plover would have made its way to the Arctic to nest.

I find the plumage differences amazing in these shorebirds.

Mia McPherson
OnTheWingPhotography.com