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Photo of the Day #224: Plover Sandpiper

By laelaps on May 21, 2008.

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I haven't looked at my Sibley's to figure out what species this is yet, so for now all I can say is that it is a plover (and therefore a member of the Charadriinae). Shows how much I know. Wendy kindly informed me that this is a sandpiper (Scolopacidae), not a plover, although I'll still have to look up which one it is. (Photographed May 17, 2008 at Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware.)


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Not a plover . . . a sandpiper (Genus Calidris; Family Scolopacidae).

Not sure which one . . . maybe Semi-palmated?

Semi-palmated (Calidris pusilla) seems right based on the dark legs. Another option might be Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), though the legs should be more yellowish...

Ah, sandpipers. Reminds me of my honeymoon. These guys were all over the place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Beautiful little birds.

Have you considered Sanderling (Calidris alba)? The bill looks long and straight, and I detect red color on the back/wing/scapular feathers.