Semipalmated Sandpiper -- South Dakota Birds

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

Semipalmated Sandpipers are named for the slight webbing between their toes.  One of the so-called "peeps" (tiny sandpipers), they are nonetheless champion long-distance migrants, often traveling for 2,000 miles non-stop from eastern North America to their wintering grounds in South America. 

Habitat: Found on open mudflats and edges of shallow lakes and wetlands during migration through the state.

Diet: Feeds on a variety of small insects and crustaceans.  Will also feed on small mollusks, worms, and occasionally seeds.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: To listen to this species, click here to go to the "E-nature.com" site for the species, and click on "listen to this bird".  

Migrations: Summers in northern Canada and Alaska.  Winters in South America.

Similar Species: Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper

Status: Numbers are generally stable.  

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

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Semipalmated Sandpiper

3) E-nature.com -- Semipalmated 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 Semipalmated Sandpiper photos.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08