Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Summary 5
The least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) is the smallest shorebird. The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific minutilla is Medieval Latin for "very small".
Presence at Rosewood 6
Months Present: Year-Round
Seen on Surveys: April-July, September-December, being most common in September
"Months Present" obtained from Lahontan Audubon Society at https://www.nevadaaudubon.org/birds-in-town.html
Description 7
This species has greenish legs and a short, thin, dark bill. Breeding adults are brown with dark brown streaks on top and white underneath. They have a light line above the eye and a dark crown. In winter, Least sandpipers are grey above. The juveniles are brightly patterned above with rufous coloration and white mantle stripes.
This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints". In particular, least sandpiper is very similar to its Asian counterpart, long-toed stint. It differs from that species in its more compact, shorter-necked appearance, shorter toes, somewhat duller colors, and stronger wingbar.
Measurements:
Sources and Credits
- (c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
- (c) Jenn Megyesi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jenn Megyesi
- (c) Nick Chill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/26256233@N04/3090319768
- (c) Dave Spier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Dave Spier
- Adapted by Hayden Wright from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calidris_minutilla
- (c) Hayden Wright, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Adapted by Hayden Wright from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_sandpiper
