Western Sandpiper Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Small, portly sandpiper with black legs and a black slightly drooping bill. Breeding birds have a rusty cap and rusty mottling on the back.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 16, 2020Nonbreeding adult
Small, rather chunky shorebird. The bill is long and slightly drooping, although bill length and shape is quite variable among individuals and is not diagnostic on its own. Nonbreeding birds have little streaking on the breast.
© Mike Cameron / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 26, 2019Breeding adult
Tiny shorebird; feeds on aquatic invertebrates usually at the water's edge or in shallow standing water. Appears somewhat front-heavy; folded wings are same length as tail.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 27, 2009Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles look like nonbreeding adults but have a more scaly-looking back with a whiter face.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryWashington, September 19, 2020Nonbreeding adults
Tiny shorebird with whitish face and little streaking on the breast. Often forages by probing into mud and sand at water's edge.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 1997Not all videos have soundJuvenile
In flight, rusty shoulder bars on juveniles can be seen at close range. As in most other "peep" sandpipers, note black stripe down the center of the tail.
© Blair Dudeck / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 01, 2018Breeding adult
Small, portly sandpiper with black legs and a black bill. Looks rather large headed compared to similar species. Breeding adults have rusty highlights in the head and shoulders.
© Brooke Miller / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 06, 2015Juvenile
Juveniles have crisp scaly markings on the back as a result of their newly grown feathers. They also show a rusty bar on the shoulder at a time when adults are in their brown-and-white nonbreeding plumage.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryKansas, August 01, 1995Not all videos have soundNonbreeding adult
Small shorebird with a short neck and larger head. Nonbreeding birds are grayish above and white below. Often forages with its head even with or above the body.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 20, 2008Breeding adult
Breeding birds have a rusty cap and rusty mottling on the back. From a distance its whiter face stands out.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 19, 2012Flock
Often seen on migration and wintering grounds in large flocks, sometimes with other "peep" species.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryWashington, January 01, 1994Not all videos have soundHabitat
Breeds in tundra with dwarf vegetation. Migrates and winters along mudflats, beaches, shores of lakes and ponds, and flooded fields.
© Jennifer O'Neill / Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 29, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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