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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: SCOLOPACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Although it has a rather restricted breeding range in western Alaska, the Western Sandpiper is one of the most abundant shorebirds in North America.

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Appearance

Shorebirds
Shorebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Small sandpiper. Short neck. Moderately long bill, with slight droop. Moderately long legs. Black center of rump and tail. Legs black. Back gray-brown with some reddish. Chest usually only lightly marked. In breeding plumage has chestnut on back, crown, and back of face. Short webbing between toes (hard to see).

Immature Description

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

Range Map Help

Western Sandpiper Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Adults
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    Western Sandpiper

    Adults
    • Birds are molting; gray inner primaries are newer than brownish outer feathers
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Salton Sea, California, August 2004
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Western Sandpiper

    Adult
    • Molting into breeding plumage
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, March 2000
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Western Sandpiper

    Adult
    • Eating polychaete worm
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  • Juvenile
    Zoom In

    Western Sandpiper

    Juvenile
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Jamaica Bay, New York, September 2000

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    Dietary surprises of Western Sandpipers: Story and photos in Living Bird magazine.