Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos


Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpipers breed in the Arctic, and winter in southern South America. Their Fall migration takes place mostly across the middle of North America, with a few migrants scattering to both coasts, most of these juveniles. All of my photographs are of juveniles in the SF Bay Area, where the species is rare enough that sightings are usually reported. The bird looks like a larger Least Sandpiper, and the two species can be confused when the substantial size difference (5.5" vs. 8.5") is not apparent. Perhaps as a result of their very long migration route, Pectorals have longer wings than Least Sandpipers, with the dark tips of the primaries extending well beyond the tertials, as seen especially well in the photo just below. Another good mark is the very clear demarcation between the buffy striped breast and the white underparts. Juveniles have white-margined scapular and mantle feathers forming white lines along the back, similar to those on juvenile Leasts.


Pectoral Sandpiper


Pectoral Sandpiper


Pectoral Sandpiper


Pectoral Sandpiper
A Pectoral flying up among several dowitchers, showing the demarcation between the striped buff breast and the white belly.


Pectoral Sandpiper