Fauna Flora Photography

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

A small shorebird, breeding in Canada. These birds forage on mudflats, picking up aquatic insects and crustaceans. This species is a long distance migrant, wintering in coastal South America.

Specs

Length15-18cm
Weight14-20g
Wingspan28-30cm

Common Names

GermanSandstrandläufer
EnglishSemipalmated Sandpiper
FrenchBécasseau semipalmé
SpanishCorrelimos semipalmeado

Taxonomy

OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyScolopacidae
SpeciesCalidris pusilla

How to Identify

This species is in appearance very similar to Least Sandpiper. A distinguished characteristic is the color of the legs which are black.

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) - Flatrock Cave - 2017-08-14

Where and When to Spot

The only time I spotted this species happened in Flatrock, Newfoundland.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.