Merlin
Browse all birds

Western Sandpiper Identification

Western Sandpiper Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small, portly sandpiper with black legs and a black slightly drooping bill. Breeding birds have a rusty cap and rusty mottling on the back.

© Thomas Barbin | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 09, 2017
Western Sandpiper Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Small, rather chunky shorebird. The bill is long and slightly drooping, although bill length and shape is quite variable among individuals and is not diagnostic on its own. Nonbreeding birds have little streaking on the breast.

© Patrick Maurice | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, November 06, 2016
Western Sandpiper Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Tiny shorebird; feeds on aquatic invertebrates usually at the water's edge or in shallow standing water. Appears somewhat front-heavy; folded wings are same length as tail.

© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 27, 2009
Western Sandpiper Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles look like nonbreeding adults but have a more scaly-looking back with a whiter face.

© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 09, 2015
Western Sandpiper Juvenile
Juvenile

In flight, rusty shoulder bars on juveniles can be seen at close range. As in most other "peep" sandpipers, note black stripe down the center of the tail.

© Logan Lalonde | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, April 25, 2013
Western Sandpiper Nonbreeding adults
Nonbreeding adults

Tiny shorebird with whitish face and little streaking on the breast. Often forages by probing into mud and sand at water's edge.

© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 1997
Western Sandpiper Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small, portly sandpiper with black legs and a black bill. Looks rather large headed compared to similar species. Breeding adults have rusty highlights in the head and shoulders.

© Brooke Miller | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 06, 2015
Western Sandpiper Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Small shorebird with a short neck and larger head. Nonbreeding birds are grayish above and white below. Often forages with its head even with or above the body.

© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 20, 2008
Western Sandpiper Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles have crisp scaly markings on the back as a result of their newly grown feathers. They also show a rusty bar on the shoulder at a time when adults are in their brown-and-white nonbreeding plumage.

© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryKansas, August 01, 1995
Western Sandpiper Nonbreeding adult with Sanderling
Nonbreeding adult with Sanderling

Smaller than a Sanderling. Nonbreeding birds have limited streaking on the breast.

© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 20, 2008
Western Sandpiper Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Breeding birds have a rusty cap and rusty mottling on the back. From a distance its whiter face stands out.

© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 19, 2012
Western Sandpiper Flock
Flock

Often seen on migration and wintering grounds in large flocks, sometimes with other "peep" species.

© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryWashington, January 01, 1994
Western Sandpiper Habitat
Habitat

Breeds in tundra with dwarf vegetation. Migrates and winters along mudflats, beaches, shores of lakes and ponds, and flooded fields.

© Jennifer O'Neill | Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 29, 2017
See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Looking for ID Help?

Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds.

Try Merlin Bird ID

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.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)
    • Weight: 0.8-1.2 oz (22-35 g)
    • Wingspan: 10.2-14.6 in (26-37 cm)

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