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Calidris bairdii
The Baird's sandpiper is a very small shorebird. Adults have black legs and a short, stout, straight dark bill. They are dark brown on top and mainly white underneath with a black patch on the rump. The head and breast are light brown with dark streaks. In winter plumage, this species is paler brownish gray above. This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints". This is what happened to me actually; I had originally identified this spotting as being Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla).
These birds forage by moving about mudflats, picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects, also some small crustaceans.
Spotted on Aug 29, 2014
Submitted on Sep 1, 2014
3 Comments
It was pointed out to me that this weren't Semipalmated Sandpipers but Baird's sandpipers. I updated the spotting accordingly.
Thanks Ava!
Lovely series.