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| | ;Calidris minutilla | | ;Calidris minutilla |
| − | [[Image:Least_Sandpiper.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by JonB]] | + | [[Image:Least_Sandpiper.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by JonB <br/> Location: Guelph Lake, Ontario]] |
| | ==Identification== | | ==Identification== |
| − | Location: Guelph Lake, Ontario
| + | Yellow legs, short thin dark bill, brown with dark brown streaks on top and white underneath. Light line above the eye and a dark crown. |
| − | The Least Sandpiper, Calidris or Erolia minutilla, is the smallest shorebird.
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| − | This species has yellowish legs and a short thin dark bill. Breeding adults are brown with dark brown streaks on top and white underneath. They have a light line above the eye and a dark crown. In winter, Least Sandpipers are grey above. The juveniles are brightly patterned above with rufous colouration and white mantle stripes.
| + | ==Distribution== |
| | + | [[United States]] and northern [[South America]]. |
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| − | This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints". In particular, Least Sandpiper is very similar to its Asian counterpart, Long-toed Stint . It differs from that species in its more compact, shorter-necked appearance, shorter toes, somewhat duller colours, and stronger wingbar.
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| − | ==Distribution==
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| − | They migrate in flocks to the southern United States and northern South America. They occur as very rare vagrants in western Europe.
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| | ==Taxonomy== | | ==Taxonomy== |
| | ==Habitat== | | ==Habitat== |
| − | Their breeding habitat is the northern North American continent on tundra or in bogs.
| + | Tundra or in bogs. |
| | ==Behaviour== | | ==Behaviour== |
| − | They nest on the ground near water. The female lays 4 eggs in a shallow scrape lined with grass and most. Both parents incubate; the female leaves before the young birds fledge and sometimes before the eggs hatch. The young birds feed themselves and are able to fly within two weeks of birth.
| + | The female lays 4 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground lined with grass and most. Both parents incubate. |
| − | These birds forage on mudflats, picking up food by sight, sometimes by probing. They mainly eat small crustaceans, insects and snails. | + | |
| | + | These birds forage on mudflats; their diet includes small crustaceans, insects and snails. |
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- Calidris minutilla
Photo by JonB
Location: Guelph Lake, Ontario
Identification
Yellow legs, short thin dark bill, brown with dark brown streaks on top and white underneath. Light line above the eye and a dark crown.
Distribution
United States and northern South America.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Tundra or in bogs.
Behaviour
The female lays 4 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground lined with grass and most. Both parents incubate.
These birds forage on mudflats; their diet includes small crustaceans, insects and snails.
External Links
