Well, I need some help from some of you bird watchers out there.
This bird was out looking for breakfast as we walked on the beach this monrning. Solitary, single bird. No group of others anywhere in sight.
It’s long bill looks like it’s designed for pulling tiny critters out of the sand, but as we watched it would leap out in the shallow water as schools of tiny fish swept past. I didn’t see it come up with a fish, and am not sure whether that bill is designed for such feeding.
Anyway, the photos turned out well, and hopefully someone will identify the species and its habits. Click on any photo to view a larger version.
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Hi Ian,
I think your bird may be the wandering tattler (Heterocelus incanus) known as the Ulili. It’s call is supposed to sound like it’s name, and where the name of the song Ulili’e comes from. From Jim Denny’s A Photographic Guide to Birds of Hawaii. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hawaiian_islands/wildlife_and_habitat/wandering_tattler.html
Nice shots, BTW. 🙂
Hi Ian,
Your superb photo and description brought out my former days as a “birder.” I think the TALE told by Walter is spot on. I believe this is a “Wandering Tattler,” and they wander quite a bit to do their TATTLING, including the west coast. I believe the long beak is to eat insects and other food they find in the sand. These are birds that travel across the Pacific, going as far as Australia and maybe the smarter ones discover Hawaii and remain.
Your photos are terrific!
Margaret
Agreed. And you have spotted perhaps an early arrival. They normally start coming in August.
Yes, it is an ‘ulili or sandpiper. There is a lively Hawaiian song about it called “‘Ulili E.” Israel Kamakawiwoole and also Dennis Kamakahi have nice recordings of it. It talks about the bird running along the beach, “‘Ulili holoholo kahakai e …”
Great shot of the the little Ulili!