Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

The name of a Pectoral Sandpiper refers to an inflatable air sac the male uses in it's courtship display.  Pectoral Sandpipers do have an important field identification characteristic in a sharp abrupt contrast between the streaks of the upper breast and the white of the belly.  They can most often be seen in very shallow flooded pastures and grassy  mudflats. 

Habitat: Flooded pastures, muddy shorelines, shallow ponds.  Prefers areas with some grass/emergent vegetation rather than open mudflats.

Diet: Mostly insects, also small crustaceans, seeds, and spiders.

Behavior: Forages in shallow water, mudflats with vegetation, or wet meadows.  Uses its bill to probe in the mud, or plucks food items from the ground, foliage, or water's surface.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Low churrrt, krrrek, or tik-tik-tik.  The male uses it's inflatable air sac to vocalize during courtship displays.

Migration: Summers in extreme northern Canada, winters in South America

Similar Species: White-rumped Sandpiper, Ruff.

Conservation Status: Numbers generally stable throughout its range

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Pectoral Sandpiper

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Pectoral Sandpiper"

3) eNature.com: Pectoral Sandpiper

Photo Information: May 14th, 2004 -- Madison Waterfowl Production Area -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Pectoral Sandpiper photos.