Buff-breasted Sandpiper
NameBuff-breasted Sandpiper
Common NameBuff-breasted Sandpiper
Scientific NameCalidris subruficollis
FamilyScolopacidae
Wingspan (cm)44
Length (cm)19.5
Weight (g)65
Plumage DetailsThe plumage features a warm buffy wash on the breast and belly, contrasting with white undertail coverts. The upperparts are brown with dark centers and pale edges, creating a distinct scaly pattern. The head is buffy with a pale supercilium, and the bill is short and dark. Legs are yellowish.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a quiet bird, but produces a soft, low, trilling 'prrrt' or 'krrrit' call, especially during flight or when alarmed.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatstundra, grassland, coastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in the high Arctic of North America. Migrates through central North America to winter primarily in the grasslands of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
Identifying Featuresbuffy breast and belly, scaly upperparts, yellowish legs, short, dark bill, distinctive wing-raising display (males)
Description
A small, elegant sandpiper known for its distinctive buffy underparts and scaly-patterned brown upperparts. It breeds in the Arctic tundra and undertakes a long migration to South America, often foraging in short-grass habitats.
