Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

Order: Suliformes | Family: Anhingidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

semipalmated_sandpiper
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Paracas, Ica

semipalmated_sandpiper
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Paracas, Ica

semipalmated_sandpiper
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Paracas, Ica

semipalmated_sandpiper
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The Semipalmated Sandpiper in basic plumage is plain gray with a white belly. The alternate plumage is mottled with rusty, gray, and black in the back and streaked in the breast. The belly is pale. The bill is relatively short and straight. The legs are black. It is distinguished from the similar Western Sandpiper by the shorter and straight bill, but there is some degree of overlap in bill length.

Status: The Semipalmated Sandpiper is a common Boreal migrant to the coast of Peru during the months of September through April. Some individuals overwinter in South America. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Playerito Semipalmado.

Sub-species: Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Linnaeus 1766.

Meaning of Name: Calidris: Gr. kalidris, skalidris= shorebird the color of ash mentioned by Aristotle. pusilla: L. pusillus= tiny, very small..

See more of the Family Scolopacidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
semipalmated_sandpiperVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.