Semipalmated Sandpiper Photo Gallery

Breeding adult

Small shorebird with a short neck and small head. Breeding birds can have some rusty mottling on the back or have more of a gray-brown color.

Nonbreeding adult

Small shorebird with a short neck and small head. The bill is dark and may droop slightly at the tip. Nonbreeding birds have faint streaking on the breast, clean flanks, and dark legs.

Juveniles

Forms large flocks during migration and winter. Note relatively short, straight bill and dark legs.

Juvenile

Juveniles have a scaly looking back without any rusty coloring. Note darker cap and eyebrow stripe.

Juvenile

Juveniles have a scaly looking back caused by white edges to the feathers, and they lack rusty coloring. Note darker cap and eyebrow stripe.

Nonbreeding adult

In flight, note dark stripe down the center of the tail bordered by whitish outer tail feathers.

Habitat

Winters and migrates along mudflats, sandy beaches, shores of lakes and ponds, and wet meadows.

Flock

Found in large foraging or roosting flocks of up to several thousand individuals during migration and on the wintering grounds.