Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
The Least Sandpiper is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen during the autumn months, often in small numbers at coastal wetlands and estuaries. It is most likely to be spotted in the southwest and western coasts of Britain, particularly during periods of strong easterly winds.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Least Sandpiper in the field.
The Least Sandpiper can be identified by its small size, brownish-grey plumage, and distinctive white stripe that runs above its eye, as well as its black legs and relatively long bill. Its dark-centred feathers on its back and wings also help to distinguish it from other small waders.
The Least Sandpiper is smaller than a Starling, measuring around 13-15 cm in length, which makes it one of the smallest shorebirds to occur in Britain.
The male Least Sandpiper has a brownish-grey plumage with a reddish-brown tint on its back and wings during the breeding season, which fades to a more uniform grey-brown in the winter months.
The female Least Sandpiper is similar to the male, with a slightly more subdued colouration, particularly on the back and wings, but the difference is not always noticeable.
The Least Sandpiper's call is a high-pitched, sharp "chee-chee-chee" or "chip-chip-chip", often repeated in a series of short bursts.
The Least Sandpiper is a probing feeder, using its long bill to search for small invertebrates in mud and wet sand, and it can often be seen running or walking quickly as it forages, with a distinctive "stitching" motion as it moves.
The Least Sandpiper can be confused with other small waders, such as the Little Stint and the Dunlin, but it can be distinguished from these species by its smaller size, darker-centred feathers, and the white stripe above its eye, as well as its more slender bill and longer legs.
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