Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

Although it has a rather restricted breeding range in western Alaska, the Western Sandpiper is one of the most abundant shorebirds in North America.

Interesting Information

In migration, the Western Sandpiper stages in huge, spectacular flocks, particularly along the Pacific coast from San Francisco Bay to the Copper River Delta in Alaska. Estimates suggest that as many as 6,500,000 individuals pass through the Copper River Delta during just a few weeks each spring.

Description

Adult Description

Length Range: 15-18 cm (6-7 in)
Weight: 23 g (0.8 oz)
Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
Color Primary: Brown
Underparts: White with rows of red-brown chevrons.
Upperparts: Red-brown, black and buff mottled.
Back Pattern: Striped or streaked
Belly Pattern: Solid
Breast Pattern: Striped or streaked

Small sandpiper. Short neck. Moderately long bill, with slight droop. Moderately long legs. Black center of rump and tail. Legs black. Back gray-brown with some reddish. Chest usually only lightly marked. In breeding plumage has chestnut on back, crown, and back of face. Short webbing between toes (hard to see).

Sex Differences

Sexes Similar

Immature

Juvenile similar to adult, but with more scaly pattern on back.

Photo taken from: The Sibley Field Guide by David Allen Sibley

Habitat

Breeds in coastal sedge-dwarf tundra. Migrates and winters along mudflats, beaches, shores or lakes and ponds, and flooded fields.

Behavior

Probes mudflats and shallows for prey.

Food

Diet consists of small crustaceans, minnows, earthworms, and aquatic insects.

Taxonomy

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	Calidris mauri

Similar Species

Semipalmated Sandpiper very similar, but usually has shorter, less drooping bill.
Least Sandpiper has a more reddish back, more distinct markings on the chest, and yellow legs.

Bird Sound

Call a thin "jeet."

Eggs look like this

Photo taken from: ARCTOS Collaborative Collection Management Solution

	Sources Used To Construct This Page
	Wilson, W. H. 1994. Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri). In The Birds of North America, No. 90 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.

	All photos and videos © Rick Swartzentrover - Free for non-profit use.