Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) 20 August 2017, Pilarcitos Creek, San Mateo County, CA Photos © 2017 Joseph Morlan
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)
This is an uncommon but regular Fall migrant. Most of the California individuals are juveniles such as this. This is a long distance migrant wintering in high lakes in the Andes and adjacent lowlands of South America. Adults are already on their wintering grounds by now, apparently flying most of the way non-stop. The juveniles take longer, and must navigate to their winter home without guidance from their parents. The long primaries project well beyond the folded tertials giving a long-winged effect. Long-distance migrants often evolve longer wings to aid in migration, and this species is a classic example of that adaptation. Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held (no adapter)
[ Back to Photo Gallery ] [ Home ]