[accordionboy]

Snapped this at Esquimalt Lagoon outside of Victoria the other day. Looking at what Peterson's, Audubon and others have to say I'm convinced that it is a Black-bellied, but someone mentioned that it could be a juvenile AGP.

What do you think? I'm looking at the weak supercilium and wing tips that DON'T extend past the tail tip.

[zwest]

The wing length with respect to the tail and the golden spangling on the back would suggest Pacific Golden to me. But the plain-looking face (not much yellow) seems more like AGPL.

I do believe it is a Golden though, rather than Black-bellied. I could be wrong on that though.

[accordionboy]

Thanks I never considered that it might be a PGPL... Hmmm.. I'll wait to see who else chimes in on this..

[therobwalker]

I don't have any input on this, but there is a similar discussion occurring on the BCVIBIRDS Yahoo groups site...

[accordionboy]

I just asked to join the Yahoo group....thanks

[therobwalker]

Looks like the result is a black-bellied plover.

[accordionboy]

Went back to the Lagoon today and got one in fight.. It was was confirmed by some expert birders who also identified it by call.

[zwest]

Yeah, 99% of plovers around here (excluding Killdeer) are going to be Black-bellied, but there are often one or two of the other kinds mixed in. I’ll just accept the original picture as a mystery