Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
Silhouette: Edwin Price · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCharadriiformes (Shorebirds and Allies)
- FamilyScolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
- GenusCalidris (Calidris Sandpipers)
- SpeciesCalidris pusilla (Semipalmated Sandpiper)
About the Semipalmated Sandpiper
The semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) is a very small shorebird. The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific pusilla is Latin for "very small".
Within the genus Calidris, the semipalmated sandpiper is most closely related to the western sandpiper (Calidris mauri). It was formerly sometimes separated with some other stints in either Ereunetes or Erolia, but these placements would leave the rest of Calidris a paraphyletic group.
It is a small sandpiper, 15–18 centimetres (6–7 inches) long and weighing around 18–51.5 grams (0.63–1.82 ounces). Wingspan ranges from 13.8 to 14.6 in (35 to 37 cm). Adults have black legs and a short, stout, straight dark bill. The body is dark grey-brown on top and white underneath. The head and neck are tinged light grey-brown. This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds, in particular the western sandpiper; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints".
Their breeding habitat is the southern tundra in Canada and Alaska near water. They nest on the ground. The male makes several... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Red Knot
Calidris canutus
Surfbird
Calidris virgata
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Semipalmated Sandpiper sighting in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, based on 8 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?
May has the highest sighting rate for Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve in our monthly data.