least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.75 inches

• Very small shorebird

• Short, thin, dark bill slightly decurved

• Yellow legs

• Thin, white wing stripe

• Black line on rump extends onto tail

• Sexes similar

Adult alternate:

• Brown head

• Black back feathers and wing coverts with brown edges

• Brown breast with black spotting

• White underparts

• Indistinct white supercilium with darker crown and eyeline

Adult basic:

• Similar to adult alternate but plumage gray-brown

• Gray-brown breast band

• White underparts

• Indistinct white supercilium with darker crown and eyeline

Juvenile:

• Black-based back feathers and wing coverts with bright rusty edges

• White "V" on back

• Breast with golden cast and fine streaking

• White underparts

• Rusty crown and pale supercilium

Similar species:

The least sandpiper is one of a group of very similar small shorebirds
called "peeps" but the only common one with yellow legs, a brown
plumage, and a thin, slightly decurved bill. The rare long-toed stint
is very similar. The pectoral sandpiper is also brown with yellow legs
but is larger with a crisp, squared-off division between the brown breast
and white belly.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 4
Length of Incubation: 19-23 days
Days to Fledge: ?
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily aquatic invertebrates; lesser quantities of plant
   matter

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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