Rock Sandpiper Photo Gallery
Nonbreeding adult/immature
Stocky, short-legged sandpiper with a drooping bill that is yellow at the base. Nonbreeding birds are pale gray above with spotting on the breast.
© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryWashington, November 29, 2020Breeding adult (tschuktschorum)
Stocky, short-legged sandpiper with a drooping bill that is yellow at the base. Breeding birds have a pale head, chestnut markings on the back, and a dark belly patch.
© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 22, 2014Breeding
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-Hertel / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 26, 2012Not all videos have soundNonbreeding adult/immature
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, 2016Juvenile
Juveniles have cinnamon edging on their back feathers and brownish spotting on the breast.
© Brian SullivanAugust 26, 2004Juvenile
Juveniles have cinnamon edging on their back feathers and brownish spotting on the beast.
© Alex Lamoreaux / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 02, 2017Molting adult
Adults molting from breeding plumage to winter plumage show a combination of characteristics. Stocky, short-legged stature and drooping bill help with identification.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 26, 2004Nonbreeding adult/immature (with Black Turnstone)
Often seen huddling together on rocky coastlines or along breakwaters. Note stocky, short-legged stature and drooping bill that is yellow at the base.
© Judith R Taylor / Macaulay LibraryWashington, March 10, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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