# Baird's Sandpiper (*Calidris bairdii*) Baird's Sandpiper is a small, wading bird that loves to run along the shore. It has a lovely brown and white pattern that helps it blend in with the sand and rocks. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Baird's Sandpiper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Baird's_sandpiper_%28Calidris_bairdii%29_03.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stephan Sprinz, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baird's_sandpiper_%28Calidris_bairdii%29_03.jpg) ## Appearance The Baird's Sandpiper is a small shorebird with noticeably long wings that extend beyond its tail, giving it a distinctive silhouette. It has a streaky brown back, a pale belly, and a dark cap that contrasts with a clear, unstreaked breast. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Scolopacidae - **Genus:** Calidris ## Interesting facts - Baird's Sandpipers are sometimes called 'Pectoral Sandpipers of the High Arctic'! - Their long wings, stretching beyond their tail, are a perfect identifier in flight! - These tiny birds make one of the longest migrations of \*any\* bird, traveling pole to pole! - They nest in the very cold Arctic, building their homes in shallow scrapes on the ground! ## Special abilities - **Marathon Migrator:** Baird's Sandpiper has incredible stamina that helps them fly over 15,000 km from the Arctic to South America each year. - **Arctic Nest Builder:** Baird's Sandpiper can survive the harsh Arctic conditions because of its ability to breed in cold, exposed tundra environments. - **Camouflage Master:** Baird's Sandpiper can blend into its rocky or marshy surroundings because of its streaky brown feathers. - **Probing Sensor:** Baird's Sandpiper can find hidden insects because of its sensitive bill that probes the mud and sand. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-19 cm - **Wingspan:** 38-44 cm - **Weight:** 0.03-0.06 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 75 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-4 - **Incubation:** 20-22 days - **Migration Distance:** 15000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mainly eat small insects and their larvae found by probing soft ground. - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, beetles, flies, aquatic invertebrates, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Foxes prey on eggs and young in Arctic nesting grounds. - **Eaten by:** Parasitic Jaeger (*Stercorarius parasiticus*) — Jaegers are aerial predators of adult sandpipers and chicks. - **Eats:** Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Baird's Sandpipers consume midge larvae and adults. - **Depends on:** Arctic Willow (*Salix arctica*) — Provides shelter and microhabitat in their Arctic breeding grounds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Baird's Sandpiper? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Baird's Sandpiper? 14-19 cm ### What is Baird's Sandpiper's wingspan? 38-44 cm ### How much does Baird's Sandpiper weigh? 0.03-0.06 kg ### How long does Baird's Sandpiper live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Baird's Sandpiper move? 75 km/h ### What does Baird's Sandpiper eat? They mainly eat small insects and their larvae found by probing soft ground. ### Where is Baird's Sandpiper usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Fort Supply](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-supply) — Oklahoma, US · Historic Site ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Baird's Sandpiper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bairds-sandpiper)