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Surf Bird

Aphriza virgata

Yellow on bill and legs of center bird signal it’s a surf bird in crowd of Turnstones

I am 30 feet away but this surfy keeps an eye on me

Among the Turnstones

The lighter grey color; the (yellowish) beak and legs draw our attention among the flock of turnstones ‘resting’ out the hide tide on a sheltered (and sunnier) side of the island. The black tail band helps too (right) to confirm ID

Mottled look in July 2000 --- “worn” breeding plumage?? Or juveniles?? almost looks like different species. Lots of chatter from this mixed group (TPL_birds_july_00_1.WMV)

July 2002

Again the mottled appearance fooled me into thinking it was a different species ---Juveniles or ‘worn’? TPL_bird_surf-molt.WMV 385k