Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Silhouette: Edwin Price · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCharadriiformes (Shorebirds and Allies)
- FamilyScolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
- GenusCalidris (Calidris Sandpipers)
- SpeciesCalidris minutilla (Least Sandpiper)
About the Least Sandpiper
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".
Within the genus Calidris, the least sandpiper is most closely related to the white-rumped sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis). This species has yellow-green 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 colour 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 colour, and stronger wingbar.
Measurements: Length: 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) Wingspan: 27–28 cm (11–11 in) Weight: 19–30 g (0.67–1.06 oz) Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Least Sandpiper in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollis
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Least Sandpiper in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Least Sandpiper sighting in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, based on 89 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Least Sandpiper in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve?
January has the highest sighting rate for Least Sandpiper in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in our monthly data.