Purple Sandpiper Bird Facts (Calidris maritima)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Purple Sandpiper is a stocky shorebird with distinctive dark grey plumage that takes on a purplish sheen in the breeding season. It has a slightly decurved bill that is orange at the base, dark at the tip, and short orange-yellow legs.

In winter, its plumage becomes duller. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff-edged feathers on the upperparts, giving them a scaly appearance.

Males and females are alike in coloring, although females tend to be slightly larger, with longer bills. Despite their colorful name, a vibrant purple plumage is not a distinguishing feature of this chunky shorebird

Size

Length

20cm to 22cm

Wingspan

42cm to 46cm

Weight

50g to 110g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey

Secondary Colour

White Purple

Beak Colour

Orange Black

Leg Colour

Orange Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Purple Sandpiper can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Purple Sandpiper can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Purple Sandpiper is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Purple Sandpipers inhabit rocky coastal areas, particularly those with algae-covered rocks and strong wave action. They breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America and Eurasia.

During winter, they migrate to rocky coastlines in northern Europe and northeastern North America.

In the UK, they are regular winter visitors along the eastern and northern coasts, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 300 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Purple Sandpiper. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada Denmark Faroe Islands Finland France Greenland Iceland Norway Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sweden The United Kingdom

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belgium Estonia Germany Ireland Netherlands Poland Portugal Spain

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Austria Belarus Cape Verde Croatia Czech Republic Greece Hungary Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Libya Malta Montenegro Morocco Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Switzerland Ukraine

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Purple Sandpiper demonstrates remarkable agility, adeptly navigating wave-battered rocky shores where other shorebirds rarely venture. Their ability to forage amidst crashing waves and maintain balance on slippery rocks indicates exceptional manoeuvrability and reflexes.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly large, Purple Sandpipers possess a sturdy build that allows them to withstand harsh coastal conditions. Their strength is evident in their ability to cling to rocks in turbulent waters and pry food from crevices, though they're not exceptionally powerful compared to larger birds.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Purple Sandpipers show impressive adaptability, thriving in some of the harshest coastal environments. Their specialised blood vessels for heat conservation in cold waters, ability to winter farther north than most shorebirds, and flexibility in diet across their range all point to high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These birds are not notably aggressive. They often roost in tight groups, suggesting a degree of sociability. However, like most birds, they likely display some territorial behaviour during breeding season, hence a moderate aggression rating.

Endurance 95

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Purple Sandpipers exhibit exceptional endurance. Their ability to withstand extreme cold, harsh Arctic breeding grounds, and turbulent coastal wintering areas demonstrates remarkable stamina. Their long-distance migrations and capacity to forage in challenging conditions further support their high endurance rating.

Diet

Purple Sandpipers primarily feed on marine invertebrates found on rocky shores. Their diet includes mollusks, crustaceans, and marine worms. They also consume some plant material, including algae and seeds.

Their slightly curved bill is well-adapted for probing between rocks and in crevices for food.

Behaviour

Purple Sandpipers are remarkably hardy, often seen foraging on wave-battered rocky shores where other shorebirds rarely venture. They feed by picking invertebrates from rocks, occasionally probing into crevices.

During high tides, they roost in tight groups on elevated rocky outcrops.

Vocalisation

Purple Sandpipers have a distinctive low-pitched call, often described as a soft 'weet' or 'tweet'.

During the breeding season, males produce a melodious trill as part of their display flight, sounding like 'trrrrrr-weet-weet-weet'. In flight, they may give a rapid series of 'wit-wit-wit' notes.

Nesting & Breeding

Purple Sandpipers breed in the high Arctic tundra, typically from June to August. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, flying in wide circles while calling.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often near rocks or vegetation. Females typically lay 4 olive-green eggs with brown spots. Both parents share incubation duties.

The incubation period lasts about 21-22 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching, and fledge after 21-28 days.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Purple Sandpipers face threats from climate change and coastal development. Their specialized habitat requirements make them vulnerable to sea-level rise and changes in coastal ecosystems.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wintering and breeding sites.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

205,000 - 295,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Rock Sandpiper

Family:

Scolopacidae

Average Lifespan

6 to 9 years

Max Lifespan

20 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include Arctic foxes, gulls, and jaegers on breeding grounds. Peregrine falcons and other raptors may prey on them during migration and in wintering areas.

Did You Know?

Purple Sandpipers have special blood vessels in their legs that help them conserve heat in cold waters.
They are one of the northernmost wintering shorebirds in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some individuals return to the same wintering sites year after year.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Calidris maritima. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22693420A131929424.
View source
2 3
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source