Calidris pygmaea
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Calidris pygmaea, is a critically endangered shorebird, instantly recognizable by its uniquely spatulate bill, a feature unparalleled among avian species. This diminutive wader measures only 14-16 cm in length with a modest wingspan of 29-34 cm, typically weighing between 29-37 grams. In its vibrant breeding plumage, adults exhibit a striking reddish-brown head and neck heavily streaked with dark markings, rufous-red underparts, and a dark-streaked grey back; durin...
Primarily inhabits coastal Arctic tundra with sparse vegetation, shallow freshwater pools, and mudflats for breeding. During migration and winter, it favors coastal mudflats, estuaries, and brackish lagoons at sea level.
Feeds almost exclusively on small invertebrates, including mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae, small crustaceans, and other aquatic insects, primarily obtained by sweeping its specialized bill through shallow water and soft mud.
Spoon-billed Sandpipers are primarily diurnal, foraging actively during daylight hours, especially when tides expose rich feeding grounds, and roosting communally during high tide or darkness. Their foraging strategy is highly specialized: they sweep their unique spoon-shaped bill from side to si...
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper's extremely restricted breeding range is confined to a narrow coastal strip of the Chukotka Peninsula and the Kamchatka Peninsula in far northeastern Russia, primarily within the Bering Strait region. After breeding, these birds embark on one of the most perilous migrat...
Critically Endangered
- The Spoon-billed Sandpiper's unique spatulate bill is entirely unique among birds, making it unmistakable and a marvel of evolutionary adaptation for specialized feeding. - Its global population is estimated to be fewer than 200 breeding pairs, making it one of the world's most critically endan...