Stilt Sandpiper Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesStilt Sandpiper
Breeding adult
Medium-sized sandpiper with long greenish legs and a long, slightly curved bill. During the breeding season, underparts are heavily barred, the back has dark blotches, and the cheeks are chestnut.
© James Corgill / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 10, 2023Nonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding Stilt Sandpipers are grayer overall than breeding birds. Note prominent white eyebrow, long yellow legs, and dark slightly drooping bill.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 20, 2016Breeding adult
Breeds in sedge marshes of the arctic tundra. On migration and in winter found along mudflats, flooded fields, shallow ponds and pools, and marshes.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 20, 2007Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles have long yellow-green legs and a scaly look to their backs. The underparts are whitish with brownish streaking on the chest. Often wades in water up to its belly.
© Doug Hitchcox / Macaulay LibraryMaine, September 02, 2017Juvenile
In flight, their long legs trail behind and their white rump patch is visible.
© Pablo Re / Macaulay LibrarySanta Fe, December 08, 2020Breeding adult
Long-legged shorebird with a long slightly drooping bill. Breeding birds have heavily barred underparts.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryManitoba, July 14, 2013Juvenile (with Lesser Yellowlegs)
Smaller than Lesser Yellowlegs (behind and to left) with a longer, slightly drooping bill.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 08, 2012© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 02, 2014
Similar SpeciesShort-billed Dowitcher
Nonbreeding adult
Dowitchers have shorter legs and a longer, straighter bill than Stilt Sandpipers. They also have a darker back than Stilt Sandpipers, which have a pale gray back.
© Tom Edell / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 30, 2016Similar SpeciesLong-billed Dowitcher
Nonbreeding
Dowitchers have shorter legs and a longer, straighter bill than Stilt Sandpipers. They also have a darker back than Stilt Sandpipers, which have a pale gray back.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryArizona, September 25, 2016Similar SpeciesPectoral Sandpiper
Breeding
Pectoral Sandpipers have a shorter bill than Stilt Sandpipers with a well-defined line that separates the breast from the belly that Stilt Sandpipers do not have.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 24, 2013Similar SpeciesGreater Yellowlegs
Breeding adult
Greater Yellowlegs are larger than Stilt Sandpipers with much brighter yellow legs.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 11, 2017Similar SpeciesLesser Yellowlegs
Breeding adult
Lesser Yellowlegs are larger than Stilt Sandpipers with a straight or slightly upturned bill that does not droop like a Stilt Sandpiper's bill. Note brighter yellow legs on Lesser.
© Brendan Klick / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 29, 2017Similar SpeciesWilson's Phalarope
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding Wilson's Phalaropes have an entirely white underside, a thinner, straight bill, and more active behavior than nonbreeding Stilt Sandpipers.
© Josh Fecteau / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 16, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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