BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW Numenius tahitiensis

A difficult bird to see, since it breeds in a part of Alaska which isn't easy to access, and winters on remote South Pacific Islands. I was lucky enough to photograph a few on a visit to see Tuamotu Sandpiper. These birds are unusual for waders in that they become flightless for a period when moulting from non-breeding plumage, the bird in flight had obviously finished its moult, and shows the cinnamon rump and tail characteristic of the species.

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