Shorebirds

Black-bellied Plover

This large plover breeds in the far north and uses coasts outside breeding.

Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked Stilts have exceptionally long pink legs, a thin straight dark bill and contrasting black-and-white plumage.

Hudsonian Whimbrel

This large shorebird uses its long downward-curved bill to find crabs and other small animals on coastal flats.

Ruddy Turnstone

A Ruddy Turnstone uses a short sturdy bill to flip small objects and search for hidden invertebrates.

Semipalmated Plover

This small plover usually searches open flats with short runs and pauses.

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpipers often bob their tails while walking along water edges.

Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpipers are tiny migratory shorebirds that feed on tidal flats.

Willet

A Willet has a sturdy straight bill and long grayish legs.

Nature Field Guide

Black-bellied Plover

Spanish name: Chorlito gris
Scientific name: Pluvialis squatarola

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico expects a black belly. Tati’s winter bird has a pale belly and a very different outfit.

Identification

Key Features of the Black-bellied Plover

Large round-headed plover
Short stout dark bill
Gray upperparts and pale nonbreeding belly
Dark armpit patch visible in natural flight

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

Nature Field Guide

Black-necked Stilt

Spanish name: Cigüeñuela cuellinegra
Scientific name: Himantopus mexicanus

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Estuary & Mangroves · Sand & Mud Flats · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Those pink legs look almost too long for Pico’s page. Tati turns the journal upright to draw the whole bird.

Identification

Key Features of the Black-necked Stilt

Very long pink legs
Thin straight black bill
White underparts with dark back and hindneck

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Spanish name: Zarapito trinador
Scientific name: Numenius hudsonicus

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Sand & Mud Flats

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico curves his pencil line to match the bill. Tati checks the striped head for another clue.

Identification

Key Features of the Hudsonian Whimbrel

Long downward-curved bill
Striped brown head with a pale central crown stripe
Brown patterned body and long legs

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Ruddy Turnstone

Spanish name: Vuelvepiedras rojizo
Scientific name: Arenaria interpres

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Rocky Shore · Sand & Mud Flats

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico watches a little bird investigate beach debris. Tati leaves the shells exactly where they belong.

Identification

Key Features of the Ruddy Turnstone

Short stout slightly upturned bill
Orange legs
Stocky body and dark breast patches
Nonbreeding back is brown rather than bright rusty

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Semipalmated Plover

Spanish name: Chorlitejo semipalmado
Scientific name: Charadrius semipalmatus

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Sand & Mud Flats

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico follows a run, then a stop. Tati notices one breast band on a small round shorebird.

Identification

Key Features of the Semipalmated Plover

Small compact brown-and-white body
One dark breast band
Short bill and orange legs
Run-and-pause feeding

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Spotted Sandpiper

Spanish name: Andarríos maculado
Scientific name: Actitis macularius

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico looks for spots but finds a plain white belly. Tati learns that the name does not describe every season.

Identification

Key Features of the Spotted Sandpiper

Brown back and white underparts
Frequent tail bobbing
Short straight bill
Belly spots may be absent outside breeding

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Western Sandpiper

Spanish name: Correlimos occidental
Scientific name: Calidris mauri

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Sand & Mud Flats

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A tiny gray bird makes Pico slow down. Tati learns that some identifications deserve a question mark.

Identification

Key Features of the Western Sandpiper

Very small gray-and-white nonbreeding bird
Fine dark bill often slightly downcurved
Dark legs
Compare carefully with other small sandpipers

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Nature Field Guide

Willet

Spanish name: Pigüilo o playero aliblanco
Scientific name: Tringa semipalmata

Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Rocky Shore · Sand & Mud Flats

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico sees a plain gray shorebird. Tati learns that a bird can reveal a surprising pattern when it takes flight on its own.

Identification

Key Features of the Willet

Sturdy long straight bill
Long grayish legs
Plain gray nonbreeding body
Bold black-and-white wings in natural flight

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care