Monday 24 October 2011

White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)

OTHER NAMES: Bonaparte's Sandpiper
Latin Etymology: Calidris (grey waterbird mentioned by Aristotle) fuscicollis ("dusky/brown")


Adult White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollisat Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - September 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 42g  /  Length: 17-20cm  /  Wingspan: 43cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Another North American vagrant species, they nest on the Northern Tundra of Canada and Alaska, and then Winter in northern South America. It is considered scarce in the UK and in all liklihood, you'll probably only find one if it's pointed out to you as it looks very much like a dunlin. It is however, slightly smaller, with a shorter, straighter beak and most tellingly very long wings which extend past the end of its tail when walking. Not necessarily the most visually stunning species in the world, but still incredibly impressive when you consider what a harsh environment this tiny fellow normally lives in and how far he's traveled to get here!

Related Species:
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOMA rare vagrant from North America.
 - A single bird seen at Rutland Water in October 2011, another at Frampton Marshes in September 2023.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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