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White-rumped Sandpiper

A species of Calidris
Scientific name : Calidris fuscicollis Genus : Calidris

White-rumped Sandpiper, A species of Calidris
Botanical name: Calidris fuscicollis
Genus: Calidris
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) Photo By dfaulder , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Description

The white-rumped sandpiper is a relatively small bird measuring only 7.8 in (20 cm). The top of its body is a dull grey-brown color and it has a white eye stripe. Its beak is of medium length, thin and dark, and its legs are very dark. This bird is often mistaken with many similar-looking sandpipers that live in its range or along its migration path. The plumage is much less distinct during the winter; however, during all seasons males and females remain similar in their appearance. In adult alternate plumage, the crown and face have a brownish tinge. The supercilium is pale, there are black feathers on the back and there are grey edges on the wing coverts. The breast and flanks are streaked and the underparts are white. In adult basic plumage, the upperparts are a dark grey and at the centers there are black feathers. The underparts are white but the breast is dark grey. The supercilium is white, while the crown and eyeline are darker. The juvenile plumage features black-based feathers on the back and wing coverts. These have brown edges towards the scapulars and whiter edges towards the wing coverts. The breast is finely streaked and there is a white "V" on its back. The underparts and supercilium are white, the crown is brownish in color, and the face is pale
Size
18-20 cm (7-8 in)
Life Expectancy
7 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
White-rumped Sandpiper forage by probing mud with their entire bill, capturing invertebrates like midges, beetles, and marine worms, occasionally picking prey off surfaces. They eat seeds too and prefer foraging in open areas over marsh vegetation.
Habitat
White-rumped Sandpiper predominantly inhabits well-vegetated, wet tundra regions with an elevation up to 450m. Preferring moist conditions, they breed in areas from wet meadows to dwarf shrub meadows, often near freshwater bodies like marshy ponds, lakes, and streams. The vegetation surrounding their breeding grounds includes grassy or mossy meadows, and shrubbery interwoven with plants like blueberry, arctic willows, and various mosses. During migration, white-rumped Sandpiper exhibits habitat flexibility, ranging from freshwater environments such as agricultural fields and marshes to brackish systems like mudflats and estuaries. They are also found on beaches, riverbanks, and inland lakes, adapting to different habitats across North and South America.
Nest Behavior
Female white-rumped Sandpiper select nest sites within a male’s territory.
Nest Characteristics
White-rumped Sandpiper choose elevated areas such as hummocks in wet tundra, with surrounding vegetation providing concealment. The nests are cups made from mosses, grasses, sedges, lined with willow leaves, mosses, and lichens.
Dite type
Aquatic invertebrate eater

Migration Overview

They are a long distance migrant, wintering in southern South America and the Caribbean. They are considered one of the most extreme long distance migrants in the world, traversing the entire continent of North America in the span of one month. The white-rumped sandpiper is a nearctic migrant. After breeding in northern Canada and Alaska, it flies over the Atlantic Ocean to spend the majority of its non-breeding period in South America, particularly along the Patagonian coast in both Chile and Argentina. It also frequently visits Fracasso Beach, Argentina. Many shorebirds concentrate in this area due to the abundance of intertidal invertebrates, especially clams. The white-rumped sandpiper has also been spotted in Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil and Paraguay during its migration. They are rare but regular vagrants to western Europe and a rare vagrant to Australia. The birds migrate with both nonstop and short-distance multiple-stop flights. During their migration from north to south, they fly over the Atlantic Ocean, gradually moving along the northeastern coast of South America before heading inland towards the islands. This travel generally takes about one month. On their migration from south to north, the white-rumped sandpiper follows a similar path, but does it much more quickly. This migration is done in a fast series of long flights without stopping. One nonstop flight can be as long as 4,200 km (2,600 mi). Weather patterns play a crucial role in determining the migration route. Birds like to travel so that the temperature, pressure and humidity work with the tailwinds. Strong winds can blow birds off of their regular migration route. For example, the effects of a large storm lead to a higher presence of the white-rumped sandpiper on the King George Islands.

General Info

Sounds

Call
Recording location: United States

Behavior

During breeding season, male white-rumped Sandpiper establish territories in Arctic tundra, performing unique aerial and ground displays to attract mates. Their courtship includes hovering flights and melodic, croaking songs. On the ground, males engage in a distinctive dance, raising wings and showcasing white tail feathers to impress females, reminiscent of the Sharp-tailed Grouse's display. Males vigilantly defend their 7-15 acre territories, perching on elevated spots to spot rivals, which they confront or chase away. The white-rumped Sandpiper's daily activities revolve around these behaviors, pivotal for reproduction within its habitat.

Distribution Area

The white-rumped sandpiper inhabits relatively vegetated patches of the tundra. More specifically, they live in the marshy, heavily vegetated, hummocky arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada during the breeding season. They can be found in various types of wetlands while migrating. During the winter months they inhabit a variety of freshwater and saltwater habitats such as lagoons, estuaries and marshes. In general, they tend to avoid sandy beaches and fast moving water.

Species Status

Not globally threatened.
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) Photo By dfaulder , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

Scientific Classification

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