Pectoral Sandpiper

An Interesting Shorebird

Pectoral Sandpiper [Internet Photo]

Pectoral Sandpipers are migrating along our shores now.  They are often seen in small flocks as they feed and rest in wet fields, marshy ponds and along our seashores.  Birdwatchers generally like this species because it is usually easy to identify.

It is a heavily streaked bird with scaled, dark brown upperparts, a heavily streaked brown breast and a plain white belly.  The streaked breast usually ends in an abrupt line.  It has a dark bill with a pale base, a faint eyering, and yellow legs which often are greenish.  It is a larger shorebird, usually about 8.8 inches long (22 cm).  When it flies it shows a faint wing strip and it has large white patches on the sides of its tail and rump with dark down the middle.  Some birders think it looks like a large Least Sandpiper.  

Pectoral Sandpiper [Internet Photo]

The Pectoral Sandpiper is a long distance flyer.  It breeds in Northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia and winters in South America and Australia.  It passes through here mainly in the fall.  Feeding on our shores is important for building up body fat so it has enough energy to complete its long journey.  The photo below was taken at Saints Rest Marsh in Saint John where the birds are often found in the fall.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpipers feed on freshwater and marine invertebrates, seeds and algae.  They feed by probing their bill deep into the mud where their sensitive tactile bills discern food items.  When put to flight their voice sounds like 'churrt' or 'kreek'.