Pectoral Sandpiper Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesPectoral Sandpiper
Breeding adult
Medium-sized shorebird with a heavily streaked breast and a bright white belly that forms a sharp border.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 24, 2013Juvenile
Overall a medium-sized shorebird. Juvenile has a finely streaked breast that forms a sharp border with its white belly. Feathers on the back have rufous edging.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 20, 2020Breeding adults
Male's courtship display involves flying over the female, then following her on the ground, bobbing head, puffing out his chest, raising his tail, and eventually stretching his wings toward the sky. After mating, males do not help raise young.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2007Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Streaked chest forms a sharp border with the white belly.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, October 15, 2019Juvenile
Sharp border between streaked neck and white belly. Found in wet grassy areas and saltmarshes during migration.
© Paul Jones / Macaulay LibraryOntario, September 29, 2020Adult
In flight bright white belly contrasts with darker breast. In flight, shows only a very faint wingstripe.
© Geoff Newhouse / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 22, 2020Nonbreeding adult
© Chris Rehberg | Sydney Birding / Macaulay LibraryNew South Wales, January 20, 2020Similar SpeciesRuff
Female
Ruffs are larger than Pectoral Sandpipers and lack the clean line between the streaked breast and the unstreaked belly that Pectoral Sandpipers have in all plumages. Ruffs are rare visitors to North America.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryOromia, December 29, 2014Similar SpeciesRuff
Juvenile
Ruffs are larger than Pectoral Sandpipers. Juveniles have an unstreaked breast while Pectoral Sandpipers have a heavily streaked breast. Ruffs are rare visitors to North America.
© José Frade / Macaulay LibraryLisboa, October 03, 2013Similar SpeciesBaird's Sandpiper
Juvenile
Baird's Sandpipers are smaller than Pectoral Sandpipers, with dark legs and a less distinct chest band.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 17, 2013Similar SpeciesStilt Sandpiper
Breeding adult
Stilt Sandpipers have a much longer drooping bill than Pectoral Sandpipers. Breeding birds have a rusty cheek patch and heavily barred underparts not seen on Pectoral Sandpipers.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 10, 2013Similar SpeciesStilt Sandpiper
Nonbreeding adult
Stilt Sandpipers have a much longer drooping bill than Pectoral Sandpipers and do not have the well delineated line separating the streaked breast and unstreaked belly.
© Christian Fernandez / Macaulay LibraryTexas, October 14, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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