Merlin
Browse all birds

Rock Sandpiper Identification

Rock Sandpiper Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Stocky, short-legged sandpiper with a dropping bill that is yellow at the base. Nonbreeding birds are pale gray above with spotting on the breast.

© Caroline Lambert | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 16, 2015
Rock Sandpiper Breeding
Breeding

Stocky, short-legged sandpiper with a dropping bill that is yellow at the base. Breeding birds have a pale head, chestnut markings on the back, and a dark belly patch.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 20, 2008
Rock Sandpiper Breeding
Breeding

Males and females may incubate the eggs alone, or both parents may share the responsibility. Clutch sizes are generally between one and four eggs.

© Luke Eberhart-Phillips | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 26, 2012
Rock Sandpiper Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Plumage brightest varies from darkest in the Aleutian Islands to palest in the Pribilof Islands. Nonbreeding birds are grayish above with gray spotting below.

© Johnny Bovee | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, October 04, 2016
Rock Sandpiper Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles have cinnamon edging on their back feathers and brownish spotting on the breast.

© Brian SullivanAugust 26, 2004
Rock Sandpiper Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles have cinnamon edging on their back feathers and brownish spotting on the beast.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 21, 2004
Rock Sandpiper Molting adult
Molting adult

Adults molting from breeding plumage to winter plumage show a combination of characteristics. Stocky, short-legged stature and dropping bill help with identification.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 26, 2004
Rock Sandpiper Nonbreeding with Black Turnstones
Nonbreeding with Black Turnstones

Often seen huddling together on rocky coastlines or along breakswalls. Note stocky, short-legged stature and dropping bill that is yellow at the base.

© Judith R Taylor | Macaulay LibraryWashington, March 10, 2016
See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

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.
Relative Size

Relative Sizerobin sizedrobin-sized
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 7.1-9.4 in (18-24 cm)
    • Weight: 2.0-4.6 oz (57-130 g)

Species in This Family

Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Scolopacidae)

Upland SandpiperUpland Sandpiper
WhimbrelWhimbrel
Long-billed CurlewLong-billed Curlew
Hudsonian GodwitHudsonian Godwit
Marbled GodwitMarbled Godwit
Ruddy TurnstoneRuddy Turnstone
Black TurnstoneBlack Turnstone
Red KnotRed Knot
SurfbirdSurfbird
Stilt SandpiperStilt Sandpiper
SanderlingSanderling
DunlinDunlin
Rock SandpiperRock Sandpiper
Purple SandpiperPurple Sandpiper
Baird's SandpiperBaird's Sandpiper
Least SandpiperLeast Sandpiper
White-rumped SandpiperWhite-rumped Sandpiper
Buff-breasted SandpiperBuff-breasted Sandpiper
Pectoral SandpiperPectoral Sandpiper
Semipalmated SandpiperSemipalmated Sandpiper
Western SandpiperWestern Sandpiper
Short-billed DowitcherShort-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed DowitcherLong-billed Dowitcher
American WoodcockAmerican Woodcock
Wilson's SnipeWilson's Snipe
Wilson's PhalaropeWilson's Phalarope
Red-necked PhalaropeRed-necked Phalarope
Red PhalaropeRed Phalarope
Spotted SandpiperSpotted Sandpiper
Solitary SandpiperSolitary Sandpiper
Wandering TattlerWandering Tattler
Greater YellowlegsGreater Yellowlegs
WilletWillet
Lesser YellowlegsLesser Yellowlegs

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read