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SANDPIPERS (SCOLOPACIDAE; 29+ SPECIES) Fairly large, worldwide family

of shorebirds. Mainly tactile feeders, picking and probing as they walk. Ages differ, sexes

similar or may differ in breeding plumage; adult appearance usually attained in 1st year, but

may not breed till 2 or 3 years; imms. of many species remain on nonbr. grounds through 1st

summer. ID can be challenging, but species often associate together, which can help greatly—

compare size, shape, bill shape, and behavior of an unfamiliar species with other species you

know; voice also useful.

*WHIMBREL  Numenius phaeopus 35.5–43cm. Large brown migrant sand­

piper with long decurved bill, found on beaches, rocky coasts, at river mouths,

salt ponds, estuaries; also nearby fields. Singly or in small loose groups, larger

flocks locally in migration; feeds by probing. Cf. rare Long-billed Curlew. Ages/

sexes similar, bill becomes mostly to wholly black on breeding adults.

SOUNDS: In flight, fairly rapid series of overslurred piping whistles, pee-pee-

pee..., 6–9 notes/sec. Quavering fluty whistles in territorial interactions.

STATUS:  Fairly common to uncommon Sep–Apr on both coasts, especially

Pacific; more widespread and numerous in migration, Aug–Oct, Mar–early

May, when scarce inland in north. Small numbers oversummer locally, mainly Pacific coast. (Breeds n. N

America, winters to S America.)

LONG-BILLED CURLEW  Numenius americanus 45.5–58.5cm. Rare migrant. Very large, buffy-brown

sandpiper with very long decurved bill (appreciably shorter on 1st-year). Occurs on tidal mudflats,

beaches, at river mouths, salt ponds; feeds by probing. Appreciably larger than Whimbrel (obvious in

direct comparison) with warmer plumage tones, cinnamon underwings, plainer face, longer bill. When

sleeping, cf. slightly smaller Marbled Godwit. Ages/sexes similar, but female distinctly longer-billed than

male. SOUNDS: Slightly shrieky hoarse reeip and slurred rising hoooriep in flight; plaintive quavering whistles

and bubbling choruses. STATUS: Rare and local late Aug–Apr on Pacific coast, mainly Gulf of Nicoya;

exceptional elsewhere, including Caribbean coast. (Breeds w. N America, winters to Cen America.)

UPLAND SANDPIPER  Bartramia longicauda 28–30.5cm. Medium-size tran­

sient migrant sandpiper of grassy habitats, fields, airports, usually not around

water. Singly or in small groups, at times associating loosely with other grassland

shorebirds. Note cryptic plumage, long tail, slender straight bill, yellowish legs;

nothing really similar, but cf. plain-breasted Buff-breasted Sandpiper of similar

habitats. Ages/sexes similar. SOUNDS: Mainly in flight, including at night, a

liquid whistled wh-whit and rippling whi-whi-whuit. STATUS:  Uncommon

Aug–Oct, Mar–May in Central Valley and on Pacific slope, scarce on Caribbean

Slope. (Breeds N America, winters S America.)

MARBLED GODWIT  Limosa fedoa 38–46cm. Large buffy-brown migrant

sand­piper with long pinkish bill tipped dark. Mainly found at estuaries, salt

marshes, coastal lagoons, sandy beaches; feeds by probing, often while wading

in fairly deep water. Cf. rare Long-billed Curlew, especially when sleeping.

Breeding plumage has variable barring on underparts. SOUNDS: Nasal, slightly

crowing or laughing calls, ah-ha and ahk. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common

Aug–May on Pacific coast, more widespread and numerous in migration; a few

oversummer locally; very rare on Caribbean coast. (Breeds N America, winters

to Cen America.)

WILSON’S SNIPE  Gallinago delicata 25–26.5cm. Cryptic, medium-size, long-

billed migrant sandpiper of grassy marshes, lakeshores, other vegetated wetlands;

not in open situations. Mostly seen feeding at marsh edges early and late in day

or when flushed from vegetation, usually as singles or loose aggre­gations.

Flushed flight strong and erratic, often towering before dropping back to cover.

All plumages similar, with striped face, bold buffy back stripes. SOUNDS: Usually

utters low rasping zzhek when flushed. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce Oct–Apr

on both slopes, to 1500m; rarely to 3000m during migration. (Breeds N

America, winters to n. S America.)