Western Sandpiper (Bécasseau d'Alaska)

Calidris mauri

Summary 7

The Western Sandpiper, Calidris or Erolia mauri, is a small shorebird.

Description 8

The western sandpiper, Calidris mauri, is one of a few Florida shorebirds belonging to a group known as 'stints' (small sandpipers belonging to the genera Erolia or Calidris). Distinguishing characteristics include a black bill and legs (Paulson 2005). Like similar species, sex can be determined in part by bill length. In general, female bills measure at least 2.5 cm longer than those of males (Paulson 2005), a difference thought to be derived from intersexual competition for food at wintering locations (Stein et al. 2008). Plumage and body coloration vary with age and season, and descriptions are divided accordingly below. Breeding Adult Reddish-brown plumage of varying degrees is concentrated on the crown, ears and along the upper back (Paulson 2005). The breast is streaked, and the sides are marked with several black streaks and chevrons. In the fall after breeding, individuals are often faded and patchier. Non-breeding Adult Coloration is nearly identical to that of the semipalmated sandpiper, C. pusilla. Plumage is plain grayish-brown above and white below, the eyebrow feathers (supercilium) are white and the breast is lightly streaked (Paulson 2005).Juvenile Legs are olive, darkening to black in adults (Paulson 2005). Plumage coloration on the head is similar to that of non-breeding adults, but darker and more distinct. Wing feathers are grayish-brown to reddish-brown with buff fringes. Underparts are mostly unmarked, and the sides of the breast are streaked. Breasts of the youngest individuals are tan, fading to white during the first migration.

Status 9

Status : M

Date d'arrivée record: 23/06/1993 (Capucins)
Date de départ record: 14/11/2000 (Saint-Blaise) QO 12(4):42

Il est à noter que la liste des mentions ci-dessous peut inclure certaines mentions non-confirmées ou considérées comme invalides après leur publication. Cette liste est fournie à titre d'information uniquement, et elle est principalement mise à jour grâce aux mentions publiées dans la chronique saisonnière de la revue QuébecOiseaux. Certaines mentions récentes, identifiées avec la référence "web", réfèrent souvent à des mentions publiées sur la page des oiseaux rares du Québec.

Cherchez les mentions de Bécasseau d'Alaska sur la page des oiseaux rares du Québec.

No Localité Dates Référence

  1. automne 2000: 4 mentions automne 2000 QO 12(4):42
  2. automne 98: 4 mentions automne 1998 QO 10(4):28
  3. automne 99: 1 mention automne 1999 QO 11(4):34
  4. Environ 70 mentions avant 1995 avant 1995 David (1996)

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Dan Irizarry, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3972897578_99f639cdc3.jpg
  2. (c) Dominic Sherony, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3204309310_a537c2ddb7.jpg
  3. (c) Blake Matheson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4920083921_f9f508a036.jpg
  4. (c) Alan Vernon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4825155746_7f4a834cd7.jpg
  5. (c) Jamie Chavez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4783883237_3f7bef594a.jpg
  6. (c) ian wetton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7565633@N04/2952213190
  7. Adapted by Roger Simard from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calidris_mauri
  8. Adapted by Roger Simard from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11525775
  9. (c) Roger Simard, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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