Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
The Least Sandpiper is the smallest of the group we call “peeps”. Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers make up the rest of the “Small Peeps” group. These birds fly north each spring to breed in the far north of North America from Alaska to eastern Canada. After the breeding season they roam south and spent the winter anywhere from coastal regions of the USA and south to northern South America and even as far a Chile.
Of the three classic peeps this bird’s legs are greenish yellow (unless covered in mud), distinguishing it from the black legs of the Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They can be found in either salt or freshwater environments, but of these three peeps, it is the most likely to be met in freshwater habitats. Least Sandpipers weigh in at one ounce and are the smallest shorebird in the world.
Both parents incubate, but most of the child-rearing falls to the males. According to researchers, females commonly leave the breeding grounds before the young fledge, and sometimes before the eggs hatch.
In the USA I’ve met these birds in California, Oregon and Texas. Outside of the lower forty-eight I found them 600 miles off the coast of Colima Mexico on Isla Socorro, and on their breeding grounds in the Yukon Territory of northern Canada.
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Molting juvenile near The Cove in La Jolla, California. San Diego County USA 2016-05-25. |
Date Taken: 2009:09:07 8:45 |
|
Location:
La Jolla |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD6227.LeastSandPiper |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult on the breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway at North Fork Pass, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 12:06 |
|
Location:
North Fork Pass |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 |
File Name: Cut_JCD6754LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult on the breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway at North Fork Pass, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 12:21 |
|
Location:
Glenboyle |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 450 mm, f/10.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD6874LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult foraging on its breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway at North Fork Pass, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 12:13 |
|
Location:
Glenboyle |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/13.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD6827LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult on the breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway at North Fork Pass, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 12:06 |
|
Location:
Glenboyle |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD6754LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Foraging near The Cove in La Jolla, California. San Diego County USA 2016-05-25. |
Date Taken: 2009:09:28 6:51 |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/80 |
File Name: JCD6621.LeastSandPiper |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Adult on the breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway, Blackstone River Valley, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 7:53 |
|
Location:
Eagle Plains |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD6489LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Molting juvenile near The Cove in La Jolla, California. San Diego County USA 2016-05-25. |
Date Taken: 2009:09:16 8:50 |
|
Location:
La Jolla Cove |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3000 |
File Name: JCD6479.LeastSandPiper |
| © 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult on the breeding grounds along the Dempster Highway, Ogilvie River Area, Yukon, Canada 2005-06-29. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 7:50 |
|
Location:
Eagle Plains |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD6443LeastSandpiper |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 15:04 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4574-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: This bird was found on the southwestern shore of the Salton Sea at Poe Road, Imperial County California 2010-10-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:35 |
|
Location:
Poe Road |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD5976_LeastSandPiper |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging along the rocky sea edges near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2010-12-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 9:02 |
|
Location:
Poe Road |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD5856_LeastSandPiper |
| © 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging along the rocky sea edges near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2010-12-10. |
Date Taken: 2010:12:10 8:59 |
|
Location:
Poe Road |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD5849_LeastSandPiper |
| © 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Loafing while waiting for the tide to go out at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay, California USA 2016-05-25. |
Date Taken: 2006:03:04 12:13 |
|
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 490 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD2175LeastSandpiper |
| © 2006 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adults in its winter garb (basic plumage) foraging along the rocky sea edges near the Alamo River mouth at the Salton Sea. Imperial County, California USA 2008-11-23. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:23 10:56 |
|
Location:
Salton Sea |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: jcd1788LeastSandPiper |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Adult in its winter garb (basic plumage) foraging along the rocky sea edges near the Alamo River mouth at the Salton Sea. Imperial County, California USA 2008-11-23. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:23 10:48 |
|
Location:
Salton Sea |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: jcd1734LeastSandPiper |
| © 2008 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging the wet freshwater margins draining into the “sea“ near the beach at Poe Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California USA 2009-07-04. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:04 10:57 |
|
Location:
Lake Fulmor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD1538.LeastSandPiper |
| © 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging migrant at the San Diego River Channel near Robb Field. Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:22 9:24 |
|
Location:
Robb Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: jcd1413LeastSandPiper |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: (Calidris minutilla) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 15:05 |
|
Location:
W F V Z |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: D3X4577-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging in the shallow waters at Poe Road. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:12 7:49 |
|
Location:
Poe Road |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X3010-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Beachcombers at the mouth of the Smith River in Northern California near the border with Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:09 11:29 |
|
Location:
Smith River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D5X0852-SmithRiverMouth |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Birds I met in Crescent City California near the boat basin of the harbor. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:11 10:29 |
|
Location:
Crescent Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D5X1976-CrescentCity |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Beachcombers at the mouth of the Smith River in Northern California near the border with Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:09 11:30 |
|
Location:
Smith River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D5X0883-SmithRiverMouth |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Breeding birds along the Dempster Highway, Ogilvie River Area, Yukon, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:29 7:50 |
|
Location:
Ogilvie River Valley |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD6443LeastSandPiper |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Juvenile bird seen during a day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 9:55 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4568-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Migrating birds at wetlands near Bridgeport California. Mono County in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:13 8:04 |
|
Location:
Bridgeport |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X9010-Bridgeport |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Migrating birds at wetlands near Bridgeport California. Mono County in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:13 8:02 |
|
Location:
Bridgeport |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X8980-Bridgeport |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Charleston Boat Basin, near Coos Bay Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 9:28 |
|
Location:
Charleston |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X9625-Charleston-BoatBasin |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Birds at the saltpan. Our third day on Isla Socorro was on a beach at the northern tip of the island. The largest of the islands in the Archipielago de Revillagigedo, and part of the state of Colima, Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2017:02:17 9:42 |
|
Location:
North Beach |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/16.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X8870 |
| © 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Foraging near Lack & Lindsey Roads. Salton Sea NWR and Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:10:13 14:35 |
|
Location:
Lack-And-Lindsey-Roads |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X7756-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: At the South Tufa shores of Mono Lake. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:08:08 13:21 |
|
Location:
Mono Lake |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X7451-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Some Least Sandpipers winter on the Gulf Coast, but others migrate through south Texas from as far as northern South America. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 17:04 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/2000 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D501523-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Some Least Sandpipers winter on the Gulf Coast, but others migrate through south Texas from as far as northern South America. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 17:06 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D501551-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Migrating birds at wetlands near Bridgeport California. Mono County in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:13 8:03 |
|
Location:
Bridgeport |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X8994-Bridgeport |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Charleston Boat Basin, near Coos Bay Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 9:28 |
|
Location:
Charleston |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X9621-Charleston-BoatBasin |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Charleston Boat Basin, near Coos Bay Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:07 9:06 |
|
Location:
Charleston |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: LeastSandPiper_D5X9420-Charleston-BoatBasin |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Beachcombers at the mouth of the Smith River in Northern California near the border with Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:09 11:30 |
|
Location:
Smith River Mouth |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D5X0863-SmithRiverMouth |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: Birds I met in Crescent City California near the boat basin of the harbor. |
Date Taken: 2019:08:11 10:27 |
|
Location:
Crescent Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LeastSandpiper_D5X1885-CrescentCity |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla) |
|
Description: At the South Tufa shores of Mono Lake. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:08:08 14:22 |
|
Location:
Mono Lake |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X7625-LeastSandPiper |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Click map markers to reveal further information
