Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)

WESTERN SANDPIPER FACTS

Description
The Western Sandpiper is a medium sized shorebird with longish black legs and a short dark bill. The body is mainly gray brown above and white underneath. In the breeding season, the back is more reddish brown, with reddish brown on the crown and towards the back of face. In non-breeding plumage they are more gray with white underside. Males and females are similar, although females are slightly larger with longer bill. Juvenile birds are similar to adults with more prominent pattern on the back.

Size
length 14cm - 17cm. Wingspan: 26cm - 37cm

Environment
breeds on tundra, winters on mudflats, wet meadows

Food
insects, small crustaceans, mollusks.

Breeding
The nest is a scrape on the ground, usually under vegetation. Lays four eggs.

Range
Breeds in western Alaska and eastern Siberia. Winters along west coast from California to Peru, and along east coast from New Jersey to northern South America.

Classification

Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	mauri
Common Name:	Western Sandpiper

Relatives in same Genus
  Sanderling (C. alba)
  Dunlin (C. alpina)
  Pectoral Sandpiper (C. melanotos)
  Least Sandpiper (C. minutilla)
  Rock Sandpiper (C. ptilocnemis)

  HOME
  ANIMAL LISTS
   Mammals
   Reptiles
   Birds
   Insects

BIRDS
Passerines

Non-Passerines: Land

Non-Passerines: Water