From Opus

Photo by mjobling
Photo taken: Cheshire, England.

Calidris maritima

Identification

The body is dark with a purple sheen on top, and white underneath. The bill is thin and dark with a yellow base, and the legs are short and yellow. The breast is grey and the rump is black.

The only small dark wader with yellow legs likely to be seen on a rocky shore.

Distribution

Photo by Gaukur
Juvenile, Húsavík, NE Iceland July 2005

Canada, Northeast USA, Greenland and northwestern Europe.

Taxonomy

Monotypic^[1]

Habitat

Tundra and coastal areas.

Behaviour

They form small flocks, sometimes with Ruddy Turnstones.

Breeding

Photo by JBJ
Virginia, USA

The male makes several scrapes in the ground and the female chooses one, and lays 3-4 eggs. The male incubates and cares for the chicks.

Diet

The diet includes insects and molluscs, also some plant material.

Vocalisation

A low "weet-wit".

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Wikipedia
3. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966

• List of references

External Links