photo by Phil Swanson

Calidris melanotos
L 8 3/4″ (22 cm).

Song or calls:
Low grating “churr.”

Description: Wing tips extend beyond tip of tail. Yellowish-green legs. Mottled and striped brown above including throat and breast; white below. Abrupt border between streaked breast and white underparts. Male is larger than female, and also has darker streaking on breast. Male also has rufous back and crown. Juvenile is similar to adult but with buffy breast and lighter streaking.

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, including muddy shorelines, creeks, flooded grasslands, and shallow marshes.

Where in Nebraska: Common to abundant spring and fall migrant across the state. Less common to rare in western Nebraska.

Fun Facts: Pectoral Sandpiper males have an inflatable sac that expands and contracts to attract females accompanied by hollow hoots during the breeding season.

 
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