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GALLERIES > BIRDS > CHARADRIIFORMES > SCOLOPACIDAE > WESTERN SANDPIPER [Calidris mauri]    [plot on map]


Western Sandpiper Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Teller Road, Nome, AK
GPS: 65.3N, -166.4W, elev=20' MAP
Date: June 6, 2012
ID : B13K0060 [4896 x 3264]

nature photography

Western Sandpiper (basic plumage)
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: February 15, 2008
ID : 4119 [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: April 28, 2008
ID : 9341 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Malibu Lagoon, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.7W, elev=8' MAP
Date: April 8, 2008
ID : 8247 [3888 x 2592]

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Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: San Jacinto Wildlife Area, CA
GPS: 33.9N, -117.1W, elev=1,426' MAP
Date: October 15, 2011
ID : B13K9293 [4896 x 3264]

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Western Sandpiper (w/Lesser Yellowlegs)
 
 
Location: New Providence, Bahamas
GPS: 25.0N, -77.5W, elev=51' MAP
Date: September 23, 2011
ID : B13K8818 [4896 x 3264]

bird photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Salton Sea, CA
GPS: 33.2N, -115.6W, elev=-232' MAP
Date: August 15, 2009
ID : 7C2V1585 [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Salton Sea, CA
GPS: 33.2N, -115.6W, elev=-232' MAP
Date: August 15, 2009
ID : 7C2V1598 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Malibu Lagoon, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.7W, elev=8' MAP
Date: April 8, 2008
ID : 8244 [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Malibu Lagoon, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.7W, elev=8' MAP
Date: April 8, 2008
ID : 8252 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Malibu Lagoon, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.7W, elev=8' MAP
Date: April 8, 2008
ID : 8278 [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: April 1, 2008
ID : 7041 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: April 1, 2008
ID : 7045 [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: March 10, 2008
ID : 5732 [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: July 7, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

Western Sandpiper Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Malibu Lagoon, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.7W, elev=8' MAP
Date: September 14, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

nature photography

SPECIES INFO

The Western Sandpiper, Calidris or Erolia mauri, is a small shorebird.

Adults have dark legs and a short thin dark bill, thinner at the tip. The body is brown on top and white underneath. They are reddish-brown on the crown. This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds, especially the Semipalmated Sandpiper. This is particularly the case in winter plumage, when both species are plain gray. The Western Sandpiper acquires winter plumage much earlier in the autumn than the Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Their breeding habitat is on tundra in eastern Siberia and Alaska. They nest on the ground usually under some vegetation. The male makes several scrapes; the female selects one and lays 4 eggs. Both parents incubate and care for dependent young, who feed themselves. Sometimes the female deserts her mate and brood prior to offspring fledging.

They migrate to both coasts of North America and South America. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

These birds forage on mudflats during migration and the non-breeding season by probing or picking up food by sight. Foraging occurs on tundra and wet meadows during the breeding season. They mainly eat insects, small crustaceans and mollusks.

This is one of the most abundant shorebird species in North America with a population in the millions.




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western_sandpiper's Range Map Click here to see the Western Sandpiper's range map!
Listen to the Western Sandpiper Call:



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