This chunky shorebird is about the same size as a husky American Robin. Preferring rocky shores, it is almost entirely found during non-breeding on coastal shorelines using similar habitat to the turnstones. Breeds in alpine habitat in Alaska and the Yukon. Not surprisingly, given their limited range, there is only one record for this species in the checklist area.
Similar species:
Quite a bit larger than the Western and Least Sandpipers we commonly see. The short and thicker bill with coloured base and thick yellow legs are noticable. In flight, a strong white pattern in wings and tail is very distinctive.
Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
Noteworthy Data
Date | Location | Source(s) | Comments |
| August 29, 2015 | Harrison Lagoon | G. Gadsden, 2015c | Juvenile bird first spotted on the path and then sat on the large rocks. Not overly wary when people passed by. First record for the Fraser Valley checklist area. |
Photos
