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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Rock Sandpiper

Calidris ptilocnemis ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: SCOLOPACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Rock Sandpiper Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A stocky shorebird of the rocky Pacific Coast, the Rock Sandpiper winters farther north than any other North American shorebird.

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Appearance

Shorebirds
Shorebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Plump, medium-sized shorebird. Medium-length bill, with slight droop at end. Short, yellow legs. Mostly dark. Broad white stripe in wings.

Immature Description

Juvenile scaly all over back, with reddish on shoulders, chest white whitish with heavy streaks and spots.

Range Map Help

Rock Sandpiper Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult breeding
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    Rock Sandpiper

    Adult breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Pribilof Islands, Alaska
  • Adult nonbreeding
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    Rock Sandpiper

    Adult nonbreeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Homer, Alaska
  • Juvenile
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    Rock Sandpiper

    Juvenile
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, August 2000

Similar Species

  • Breeding Dunlin similarly patterned, but has redder back, more solid dark patch lower down on the belly, has longer, more slender bill, and dark legs.
  • Purple Sandpiper very similar, but the ranges of the two species do not normally overlap. Breeding Rock Sandpiper has dark patch on belly; Purple Sandpiper's belly is white. Nonbreeding Purple Sandpiper is darker than Rock Sandpiper, with brighter bill base and legs.
  • Surfbird with stout bill and white tail with black tip.