ExploreBirds

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

The Least Sandpiper is a small, cute bird that loves to run along the shore. It has tiny legs and a brownish body, making it great at hiding in the sand while searching for food.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Least Sandpiper is North America's smallest shorebird, featuring streaky brownish-gray upperparts, a whitish belly, and distinctive yellowish-green legs. Its small size and leg color make it stand out from similar sandpipers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusCalidris
Least Sandpiper
feathered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Least Sandpiper

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Despite being tiny, they lay surprisingly large eggs compared to their body size!

Sometimes the dad sandpiper takes care of all the eggs and chicks by himself!

They can walk so quickly across mudflats that they look like little wind-up toys!

They don't just visit the beach; they also raise their babies far up in the Arctic!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Sniffer Bill

Least Sandpiper can probe mud with its sensitive bill because it helps them find tiny hidden worms and insects.

Ability

Tiny Traveller

Least Sandpiper has incredible stamina that helps them fly thousands of kilometers during long migration journeys.

Ability

Camouflage Cloak

Least Sandpiper has streaky brown feathers that helps them blend perfectly with muddy or grassy shores to hide from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
13-15 cm
Wingspan
28-31 cm
Weight
0.019-0.03 kg
Lifespan
3-5 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
19-23 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on tiny invertebrates like insects and worms found in mud and shallow water.

Primary Foods

  • midge larvae
  • marine worms
  • small crustaceans
  • beetles
  • fly larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

A swift predator that hunts many shorebirds.

eaten by

Herring Gull

Larus argentatus

Adults and chicks can be prey for larger gulls.

eats

lake midge

Chironomus plumosus

Feeds on aquatic insect larvae found in mud.

eats

sand worm

Nereis virens

Probes mud to find and consume various marine worms.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Least Sandpiper?

13-15 cm

What is Least Sandpiper's wingspan?

28-31 cm

How much does Least Sandpiper weigh?

0.019-0.03 kg

How long does Least Sandpiper live?

3-5 years

How fast can Least Sandpiper move?

60 km/h

What does Least Sandpiper eat?

Feeds on tiny invertebrates like insects and worms found in mud and shallow water.

Where is Least Sandpiper usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Least Sandpiper hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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