Calidris fuscicollis
The White-rumped Sandpiper, *Calidris fuscicollis*, is a small, long-winged shorebird renowned for undertaking one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird. Measuring 17-19 cm in length with a wingspan of 36-40 cm and weighing 45-70 grams, it presents a delicate yet robust appearance. Key field marks include a distinctive white rump patch, prominently visible in flight, a strong white supercilium, and remarkably long primary projections extending well beyond the tail, giving it a 'long-w...
This species breeds in the high Arctic tundra, characterized by wet sedge meadows and dry hummocks; during migration and winter, it favors coastal mudflats, salt marshes, and occasionally freshwater wetlands at low elevations.
Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, including insects and their larvae (especially dipterans), small crustaceans, and mollusks, obtained by probing and gleaning from soft substrates.
White-rumped Sandpipers are primarily diurnal, actively foraging during daylight hours and typically roosting communally in flocks during high tide or at night. They employ a 'pecking' and 'probing' foraging strategy, systematically walking through mud or shallow water to glean insects and small ...
The White-rumped Sandpiper has an extensive New World distribution. Its breeding range encompasses the high Arctic tundra of North America, stretching from Alaska eastward across northern Canada, including the Arctic Archipelago, to Greenland. Following the breeding season, these incredible long-...
Least Concern
- The White-rumped Sandpiper undertakes one of the longest annual migrations of any bird, traveling from the High Arctic to the southern tip of South America and back. - Its southbound migration route often includes long, non-stop flights over the open Atlantic Ocean, far from land. - The species...