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 →
Closest Relatives at Darién National Park
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Surfbird
Calidris virgata
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
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 Darién National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Least Sandpiper sighting in Darién National Park, based on 31 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Least Sandpiper in Darién National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Least Sandpiper in Darién National Park in our monthly data.