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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: SCOLOPACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A common small shorebird, the Least Sandpiper can be found in migration all across North America. It can be readily identified by its small size and yellow legs.

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Appearance

Shorebirds
Shorebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Small sandpiper. Short neck. Moderately long bill, may droop slightly at tip. Moderately long legs. Black center of rump and tail. Legs yellowish. Back reddish with black spots. Two thin white lines down back. Chest usually only well marked with rather distinct chest band.

Immature Description

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

Range Map Help

Least Sandpiper Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Adult breeding
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    Least Sandpiper

    Adult breeding
    • © L. Page Brown / CLO
  • Adult nonbreeding
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    Least Sandpiper

    Adult nonbreeding
    • © L.B.Wales / CLO
  • Juvenile
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Juvenile
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Jamaica Bay, New York, August 2000
  • Adult breeding
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Long Island, New York, May 2000
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult
    • © Jim Mcree, Chamberlain , Maine, August 2012
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult
    • © Jason Crotty, Pillar Point Harbor, California, September 2012
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Least Sandpiper

    Adult

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