Baird's Sandpiper

The Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii, is a diminutive shorebird, a member of the family Scolopacidae. It is recognized by its black legs and a short, straight, and slender dark bill. The upperparts are a dark brown, while the underparts are predominantly white, with a distinctive black patch on the rump. The head and breast exhibit a light brown hue with dark streaks. During the winter, the plumage transitions to a paler brownish-gray.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Baird's Sandpiper, one should note its long wings, which conspicuously extend beyond the tail when the bird is at rest. This characteristic is shared only with the White-rumped Sandpiper, which can be differentiated by the white patch on its rump.

Habitat

The Baird's Sandpiper breeds in the northern tundra, preferring dry areas with sparse vegetation for nesting.

Distribution

This species is a remarkable long-distance migrant, traveling from its breeding grounds in eastern Siberia to western Greenland and wintering in South America. It is occasionally seen as a rare vagrant in western Europe.

Behaviour

The Baird's Sandpiper is known to forage on mudflats, where it actively moves about in search of food, relying on sight to locate its prey.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Baird's Sandpiper primarily consists of insects, supplemented by some small crustaceans.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Baird's Sandpiper as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not face any significant immediate threat to its survival.