Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
The Western Sandpiper is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen during the autumn migration period, often in small numbers at coastal wetlands and estuaries. It is a small shorebird that can be glimpsed on British shores, particularly in the west and northwest, although sightings are infrequent.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Western Sandpiper in the field.
The Western Sandpiper can be identified by its brownish-grey plumage, black legs, and relatively long black bill, as well as its distinctive white rump patch visible in flight. Its dark centre to the chest and greyish-brown upperparts also help distinguish it from other similar species.
The Western Sandpiper is smaller than a Starling, measuring around 17-20 cm in length, which is comparable to the size of a Dunlin.
The male Western Sandpiper has a brownish-grey plumage with a dark centre to the chest and greyish-brown upperparts, with some black feathering on the back, and its plumage does not vary significantly with the seasons.
The female Western Sandpiper is similar to the male, with no notable differences in plumage, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based on appearance alone.
The Western Sandpiper's call is a sharp, high-pitched "cheep" or "weep" sound, often repeated in a series of three or more notes.
Western Sandpipers are active foragers, probing into mud and sand for small invertebrates, and they often feed in large flocks, moving quickly and erratically as they search for food, with a swift and direct flight style.
The Western Sandpiper can be confused with the Semipalmated Sandpiper and the Little Stint, but it can be distinguished from these species by its longer bill, black legs, and the presence of a dark centre to the chest, as well as its distinctive white rump patch.
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