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 Las Baulas Marine National Park
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Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
Surfbird
Calidris virgata
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
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 Las Baulas Marine National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Semipalmated Sandpiper sighting in Las Baulas Marine National Park, based on 16 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Semipalmated Sandpiper in Las Baulas Marine National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Semipalmated Sandpiper in Las Baulas Marine National Park in our monthly data.