Shorebird Distinctions

Unlike the least sandpiper with yellow legs (see June’s column,) the western, semipalmated, and white-rumped sandpipers all have black legs and bills. The western sandpiper’s bill is long and droops at its tip. The semipalmated sandpiper’s shorter bill may also droop. The white-rumped sandpiper’s bill is thinner, straight, and reddish-orange at its base. Its wings are longer and extend beyond the tail feathers.

Western sandpiper: length 5.5–6.7 inches, weight 0.8–1.2 ounces, wingspan: 13.8–14.6 inches.

Semipalmated sandpiper: length: 5.9–7.1 inches, weight: 0.6–1.8 ounces, wingspan: 13.8–14.6 inches.

White-rumped sandpiper: length: 5.9–7.1 inches, weight: 1.4–2.1 ounces, wingspan: 15.8–17.3 inches.

The seasonal plumage is another confusing feature of shorebirds. The long-billed dowitcher has intense rufous coloring in the spring when it is breeding but it becomes pale in the fall when it is not.

Breeding long-billed dowitcher.

Non-breeding long-billed dowitcher.