H2: Basic Description
Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) is a small, migratory shorebird that measures approximately 18-20 cm in length and has a wingspan of about 38 cm. This bird has a brownish-gray back with black streaks and white underparts. Its bill is black and slightly curved downwards, while its legs are dark greenish-gray.
H2: Where To Find This Bird
Baird’s Sandpiper breeds in the High Arctic regions of North America, specifically on wet tundra habitats near freshwater pools or ponds. During the non-breeding season, they can be found along coastal mudflats and sandbars from southern South America to northern Alaska.
H2: Habitat
These birds prefer moist tundra scrublands during their breeding period where they build their nests on the ground using sedges or grasses as cover. Outside of breeding season, Baird’s Sandpipers can be found foraging on open beaches, salt pans, tidal flats, shallow marshes or even rice paddies depending on their migration route.
H2: Food
Baird’s Sandpipers feed primarily on insects such as flies and beetles but also consume crustaceans like amphipods during migration stopovers along coastal areas.
H2: Cool Facts
Despite being one of the most common sandpipers in Alaska during fall migration periods when they pass through by thousands at once; finding Baird’s sandpipers nesting locations remains elusive because it mostly breed inland remote arctic territories.
Also noteworthy is that this bird was named after Spencer Fullerton Baird who was an American naturalist who served as assistant secretary to more than one U.S president in the mid-19th century. He made significant contributions to Ornithology especially avian taxonomy which led to his legacy being immortalized through several species nomenclature including the Baird’s sandpiper.
