American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Tonto Creek, Roosevelt Lake, Gila County

This American Golden-Plover was discovered and photographed by Stig Tjotta on 16 May 2009 around 2pm in Tonto Creek where it enters Roosevelt Lake. The photos were taken from the car at the southermost crossing of Tonto Creek before it enters the lake.

Rare transient throughout Arizona. 

Separating Pacific and American Golden-Plover can be tricky.  This bird has the long wings and short tertials typical of American Golden-Plover, the expected species in Arizona.  Another clue is that Pacific Golden-Plover usually molts earlier and would be expected to be in full breeding plumage by now, which this bird is not.  A final clue is the black breeding plumage feathers coming in on the left side visible in the third photo.  These feathers would be white or at least mottled in a a Pacific Golden-Plover.  The final two images show close ups of the wing tips to illustrate the primary projection. 

16 May 2009, photo by Stig Tjotta

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer

 

Map:

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