Sandpiper Ident?

I saw a pair of these yesterday. This is the best frame I got. Spotted in northern Illinois, near a large pond, small river, and 5 miles from Lake Michigan. I also posted this to the local forum, but with 45 views, no takers yet. Thought I would try the larger audience here. I've been birding for about a year, and have guess what it is, but it's FAR fetched. Suggestions?


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IMAGE LINK: http://s219.photobucke​t.com …mall_zpsec75666​a.jpg.html

It appears to be a juvi Spotted Sandpiper. Do you any other angles?

Only from the rear. He was in front of my car, so I had to pull 45deg off the road to get the lens on him and he wasn't cooperating. This color pattern looks just like a Common Sandpiper, so I was thinking "say whaaaaat?"

Young Spotted Sandpiper makes sense. This birding can be hard! LOL

Thank you.

A young Common Sandpiper is a very good possibility. The Common and the non-breeding Spotted are very similar, the Spotted is slightly larger but the Common has a more distinct wing pattern. This is why I was hoping for more images, maybe a real expert will be along soon to give a definitive ID.

Juvi spotted. Was it doing its tale tell tail bobing (say that 3 times fast). Was this a life bird for you? If yes congrats.

People say look for the 'bobbing', but if I'm new then heck if I know if that is unique to this one type of bird. That's okay, half the fun is learning something new every time out. Okay. Thanks everyone.

http://www.youtube.com …re=player_detai​lpage&t=28

This is what they mean by tail bobbing. Though a definite give away if it is doing this behavior, Spotted Sandpipers will sometimes not bob their tails, especially if it is an adult singing.

And I agree with Steve, a picture perfect hatch year SPSA

Matches the Spotted Sandpiper in Stan Tekiela's Field Guide

You know, I saw another one earlier this week and make special notice of the bobbing up and down. Now I know!