Baird's Sandpiper (Caladris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper Caladris bairdii

Chilean name: playero de Baird

Chile

Baird's Sandpiper breeds in the Arctic tundra of North America and the extreme east of Siberia. In July, they begin to migrate to South America and spend the northern winter in western and southern South America beginning their return northward migration in March.

These photos show Baird's Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage. It is a smallish sandpiper with long wings. Note the primary projection beyond the tail that can be seen well in the first photo and the long-winged look to the bird in photo 3. It has a pale brown, slightly streaked breast and, unlike the similar White-rumped Sandpiper C. fuscicollis, has no streaking on the flanks.

In flight it shows a very weak wingbar and whitish edges to the rump and tail.

It is less gregarious than most of its congeners and is usually seen singly or in small groups.

It is named in honour of Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823 - 1887) author of A Catalogue of North American Birds in 1858.

Baird's Sandpiper, Laguna Chaxa, Chile, January 2007 - click for larger image

Back to Index

If you do not see a menu on the left, you may have arrived at this page from another site. Please click Home to get to my main page.