any shorebird decoy experts?

BillS

BillS

Well-known member
I picked this shorebird up this last weekend as we were packing up my brothers booth Saturday. A guy was walking around with a few unkown to him decoys, this one was unkown to me as well, but I bought it anyway along with an early daddy holly decoy body. I know very little about shorebirds and have never bought one as I know there are a lot of fakes. in my opinion this is legit which is scary, but I also didn't spend much money on the risk. I have both shorebird books and after numerous google searches, the only thing I have found is it maybe whats called a "Nantucket rocker" or "Banana" style. I also found some very similar Heron(way bigger) decoys pictured in the "art of the decoy" book that look very similar, other than a little story about where he found the heron decoys there wasn't much info.

I am not even sure on species either. It has purple on both sides of neck and some on the back. If anyone has knowledge on shorebird decoys or a lead to an expert I would appreciate it.

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BillS

"Other than a little story about where he found them there wasn't much info."

I give, what's the story?

Trip.
 
My bad, the story was in reference to the heron decoys in the "art of the Decoy" book.

The only thing I know about this decoy was his dad was the owner of Carry- lite decoys, least so he said. The guy had 5 decoys, this shorebird, a daddy holly body with a cast aluminum seneca lake head attached, a crude reed decoy, a Pratt goldeneye, and a crude looking coot. All 5 were unique and not your typical decoys that someone with no decoy knowledge would walk in with..
 
I'm no expert, but the shape,the purple, and the tail, make me think Pigeon.........not shorebird.



I was going to say the same thing. The band on the tail really seems pigeonish.
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When I got it home, we noticed the purple along the neck and a bit on the back and we then thought passenger pigeon. A hen does look close color wise, but would seem on the small side.
 
I think if it is a pigeon it is an english decoy for wood pigeon hunting. Sort of looks like this one CLICK HERE It does look maybe a little small for a pigeon decoy.

It still could just be a generic shorebird decoy from the east coast also. That could have been made from a root/branch and that is the size and shape that fit into that chunk of wood.

Tim
 
I think if it is a pigeon it is an english decoy for wood pigeon hunting. Sort of looks like this one CLICK HERE It does look maybe a little small for a pigeon decoy.

It still could just be a generic shorebird decoy from the east coast also. That could have been made from a root/branch and that is the size and shape that fit into that chunk of wood.

Tim
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If we are on pigeons, I'd look at band-tailed pigeons from the West coast. They have a rounded tail (unlike passenger pigeon) and terminal light on the tail (unlike wood). They don't have a big while blotch on the cheek/head, but while on the nape of the neck.
 
What ever it IS. If it's real it's Folk Art, and Folk Art decoys are very hot items even in this economy. A quality auction house may be your next place to inquire...... Can't hurt to ask.
 
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