{"id":6715,"date":"2024-10-25T18:57:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T18:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=6715"},"modified":"2024-12-03T05:22:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T05:22:08","slug":"taking-a-peep-at-the-western-sandpiper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2024\/10\/25\/taking-a-peep-at-the-western-sandpiper\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a “Peep” at the Western Sandpiper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Drew Kuipers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viu Ornithology, BIOL 325<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri<\/em>) are small, round shorebirds that have staked their claim over the West Coast. These chunky little ‘peeps’ (collective nickname for sandpipers) are one of the most numerous shorebirds in the Pacific North Coast of America (Natureweb, 2022). They delight British Columbians each year when they grace us with their presence as they play international hopscotch. There is far more to Western Sandpipers than meets the eye, even if you have to squint to see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Credit: Tim Lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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CLASS:<\/strong> AVES<\/td><\/tr>
ORDER: <\/strong>CHARADRIIFORMES<\/td><\/tr>
FAMILY:<\/strong> SCOLOPACIDAE<\/td><\/tr>
GENUS:<\/strong> CALIDRIS<\/td><\/tr>
SPECIES:<\/strong> C. MAURI<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Identifying a Western Sandpiper<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Dorian Anderson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Mike Cameron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Credit: Ian Davies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Breeding Adult<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Non-Breeding Adult<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Juvenile<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

During their breeding season (spring\/summer), Western Sandpipers sport rufous highlights<\/strong> on their crown, cheek and their backs. Their backs are a mosaic of black, orange and brown, while their chests are adorned with black arrows. Although in their non-breeding season (winter), they dial it back with a more plain, conservative look: grey uppers and white below. Juveniles seem to be an amalgamation of the two, their bellies white and their uppers grey with hints of rust and gold (All About Birds, 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distinguish them further from other peeps by checking for field marks such as: black legs<\/strong> and long bill<\/strong>, that droops lightly at the tip (All About Birds, 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At 22-35g, adult Western Sandpipers weigh less than a slice of bread, and measure 14-17cm, no longer than a crisp $5 dollar bill (All About Birds, 2024).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Listen Up: Vocalizations of the Western Sandpiper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Their Songs are filled with buzzy trills and strings of ‘tweer<\/em>‘ sounds, while their calls are short, harsh ‘jeets<\/em>‘ (All About Birds, 2024). Next time you’re at the beach, listen for the following adorable, yet powerful <\/em>sounds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Songs:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n