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PECTORAL SANDPIPER  Calidris melanotos 19.5–23cm. Medium-size, cryptic

transient migrant sandpiper of marshy wetlands, flooded fields, lakeshores,

coastal lagoons; rarely on open mudflats, beaches. Singles or small groups, at

times associating with other shorebirds; feeds by probing and picking, often

near or within grassy vegetation. Note medium size (male appreciably larger

than female), yellowish legs, clean-cut ‘pectoral’ demarcation between streaky

brown breast and whitish belly. Little age/seasonal variation. Cf. Baird’s

Sandpiper. SOUNDS: Rolled krrip, lower and often wetter than Baird’s Sandpiper.

STATUS:  Fairly common to common Aug–Nov, Mar–May, on both slopes,

smaller numbers inland to 1500m; rare in winter. (Breeds N America, winters

S America.)

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER  Calidris subruficollis 18–20.5cm. Attractive

small transient migrant sandpiper of open habitats, especially fields, sod farms,

lakeshores; often not near water. Singles or small groups, at times associating

loosely with other shorebirds. Walks with high-stepping gait, picking for food;

can be confiding. Distinctive, with blank face, beady eye, plain buffy breast,

yellow legs; white underwings contrast with buff body. Little age/seasonal

variation. SOUNDS: Mostly quiet; soft low clucks on occasion. STATUS: Scarce to

locally uncommon late Aug–Oct on Pacific slope and inland to 1500m; rare on

Caribbean slope. No spring records, but occurrence seems plausible. (Breeds N

America, winters S America.)

WILSON’S PHALAROPE  Steganopus (Phalaropus) tricolor 20.5–22cm. Ele­

gant, medium-size migrant sandpiper of lakes, salt ponds, coastal lagoons,

marshy wetlands. Feeds mainly while swimming, picking at water surface with

fairly long fine bill; also feeds on land, at times with tail cocked high, chasing

flies. Singles or flocks, locally of 100s, associating readily with other shorebirds.

Breeding plumage distinctive (male duller); nonbr. notably pale and silvery gray

overall, lacks distinct black mask of smaller Red-necked Phalarope, and in flight

note white rump. Cf. Lesser Yellowlegs and Stilt Sandpiper, which swim on

occasion. SOUNDS:  Mostly silent; rarely utters low grunts. STATUS:  Fairly

common Aug–Oct, late Mar–May on Pacific slope, mainly around Gulf of Nicoya, where small numbers

winter locally. (Breeds N America, winters mainly S America.)

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE  Phalaropus lobatus 17–19cm. Small, swimming

migrant sandpiper of inshore marine waters, salt ponds, coastal lagoons, river

mouths. Singles or flocks, locally of 1000s on ocean. Feeds mainly while

swimming; picks at water surface and sometimes spins in circles to stir up prey;

ungainly on land. Breeding plumage distinctive (male duller); juv. and nonbr.

told from larger and bulkier Red Phalarope by fine bill, striped back (can be

fairly plain on some winter Red-necked), voice. Beware that small Calidris

sandpipers can swim on occasion. SOUNDS: Clipped sharp plik and harder tik,

lower than Red Phalarope. STATUS: Fairly common to common off and along

Pacific coast Aug–Nov, very rarely inland; smaller numbers off Pacific coast Apr–May; irregularly

uncommon to common in winter over inshore Pacific waters. (Breeds n. Eurasia and N America, winters

in New World from Mexico to S America.)

RED (GRAY) PHALAROPE  Phalaropus fulicarius 20–21.5cm. Small, swim­

ming migrant sandpiper of marine waters; rarely seen on land at river mouths

and coastal lagoons, usually in stormy weather. Feeds mainly while swimming;

picks at water surface and sometimes spins in circles to stir up prey; ungainly on

land. Often in flocks, especially in slick water along breaks between water

masses. Cf. smaller, fine-billed Red-necked Phalarope. SOUNDS: High, slightly

tinny tink, can carry surprisingly well over the ocean. STATUS: Uncommon well

offshore Sep–Apr, sometimes within range of day trips; very rare on land,

mainly Oct–Nov. (Breeds n. Eurasia and N America, winters in New World

from Mexico to S America.)