Pectoral Sandpiper
Least ConcernCalidris melanotos
Visual Identification
Pectoral Sandpiper
Appearance
The Pectoral Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird with a distinctive brown-streaked breast that sharply contrasts with its white belly. It has a brown back with darker centers to the feathers, creating a scaly pattern.
The bill is slightly curved downwards and darker in breeding, becoming yellowish during the winter. Their long, slender legs are yellow-brown.
Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are up to 30 percent larger. In breeding plumage, they display a more rufous tone on the upperparts. Juveniles resemble adults but have more buff-tipped feathers on the back. Younger birds also have a pale eye stripe.
Size
Length
19cm to 23cm
Wingspan
38cm to 44cm
Weight
50g to 105g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black Buff
Beak Colour
Black Yellow Orange
Leg Colour
Yellow Green
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Pectoral Sandpipers breed in the Arctic tundra of North America and Siberia. During migration, they can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, flooded fields, and mudflats.
They winter primarily in South America, with some populations reaching Australia and New Zealand. In North America, they are common migrants through the central and eastern United States and can be seen in all 50 states during passage.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 4,500 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Pectoral Sandpipers primarily feed on insects and their larvae, including flies, midges, beetles and moths. They also consume small crustaceans and spiders. Their long bills allow them to probe deep into mud and shallow water to find prey.
Algae, plant material, and some seeds are also eaten. Occasionally, crickets, grasshoppers, bees, and wasps are also eaten, and in some regions, small minnows also feature in their diet.
Behaviour
Pectoral Sandpipers are known for their unique courtship displays. Males inflate their breasts and produce a low, hollow, booming sound to attract females.
During migration, they often form small flocks and can be seen probing the mud with their bills in search of food.
Vocalisation
Pectoral sandpipers are relatively vocal birds with a call that is a distinctive, low-pitched 'krreek' or 'chrrrip,' often given in flight.
During courtship, males produce a hollow, booming sound by inflating their breast sacs, creating a unique 'hoo-hoo-hoo' that can carry for long distances across the tundra.
Hooting and screaming is particularly heard by male birds in pursuit of females shortly before an attempt at copulation occurs.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs in the Arctic tundra from late May to July. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, inflating their breasts and producing booming calls to attract females.
Females construct a shallow scrape on the ground, often hidden in grass or sedges. They typically lay 4 eggs, which can be a variety of colors, including off-white, cream, buff and olive, with speckled markings that are brown, purple or gray.
The female incubates for about 21-23 days. The chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within a day of hatching, fledging after about 18-21 days.
Lifespan
years
The Pectoral Sandpiper typically lives for 5 to 6 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Pectoral Sandpipers face threats from habitat loss in both breeding and wintering grounds. Climate change impacts on Arctic breeding habitats are a growing concern. Conservation efforts focus on protecting key stopover sites along migration routes.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in shallow wetlands and flooded fields during migration
- Observe their distinctive sharp breast line, which separates the streaked upper breast from the white belly
- Listen for their distinctive 'krreek' call during flight
- In North America, watch for them in late summer and early fall when they pass through in large numbers
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Pec
Family:
ScolopacidaePredators
Main predators include Arctic foxes, jaegers, gulls, and birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Snowy Owls.
Did You Know?
- Male Pectoral Sandpipers can lose up to 30% of their body weight during the intense breeding season.
- They have one of the longest migration routes of any shorebird, traveling up to 30,000 km (around 18,600 miles) annually.
- Despite their name, both males and females have pectoral (breast) inflation abilities.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Calidris melanotos. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22693408A93404396.
View source - 2 3
report, 1996: del Hoyo et al.
- 2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source