Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 

Identification:
· Length: 7 inches 
· Medium-sized shorebird 
· Decurved bill 
· Black legs 
· White rump 
· White wing stripe 
· Sexes similar 
· Common in Iraq and all Arabian gulf states
Adult alternate: 
· Reddish-brown head, mantle, breast, and belly 
· Black bases to back feathers 
· White undertail coverts with dark spots 
Adult basic: 
· Gray head with white supercilium 
· Gray breast with indistinct streaking 
· Gray upperparts 
· White belly and undertail coverts 
Juvenile: 
· Similar to adult basic 
· Mantle black with thin pale white edging 
· Head and breast with brownish wash 
Similar species: 
In alternate plumage, the reddish-brown plumage is diagnostic. The Dunlin also has a de curved bill but lacks a white rump. Stilt Sandpiper has greenish legs and a thicker bill. Other similar-sized shorebirds lack the de curved bill. 

FULICA ATRA (COOT)

Identification:
· Length: 12 inches Wingspan: 25 inches 
· Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail 
· Very short, thick bill 
· Frequently seen both swimming and walking 
· Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts 
· Sexes similar 
· Toes have lobed webbing, unlike gallinules 
Adult: 
· White bill with dark reddish ring just before tip 
· White frontal shield with reddish oval near tip 
· Slate gray head, neck, back, upperwings, breast and belly 
Juvenile: 
· Lacks the frontal shield of the adult 
· Horn-colored bill may lack ring near tip 
· Pale gray-brown head, neck, upperwings, breast and back; feathers on underparts often with paler edges 
Similar species: 
Common Moorhen is of similar size and shape but has a reddish bill with a yellowish tip, a white stripe along the flanks, and a brownish back. 

Gallinula chloropus (Common moorhen)

Identification:
· Length: 10.5 inches Wingspan: 21 inches 
· Fairly large, duck-like waterbird with short wings and a short tail 
· Very short, thick bill 
· Frequently seen both swimming and walking 
· Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white outer undertail coverts which are also easily visible while swimming 
· Sexes similar 
Adult: 
· Red frontal shield above bill 
· Red bill with a yellow tip 
· Slate gray head, neck, breast and belly 
· Brownish back and upperwings 
· White stripe along upper flanks 
· Tarsus and feet greenish yellow, tibia red 
Juvenile: 
· Small, dull red frontal shield 
· Dark bill with dull yellow tip 
· Pale gray-brown head and underparts 
· Whitish throat and belly 
· Dark gray-brown upperparts 
· White stripe along flanks 
Similar species: 
In poor light, adult can be confused with Purple Gallinule, but can be distinguished by red forehead shield and white flank stripe. Common Coot has a whitish bill, lacks the flank stripe and has a slate gray back. Immature Purple Gallinules are much paler and lack the white flank stripe.