White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis)

A long distance migrant from breeding grounds in the High Arctic tundra to wintering grounds in South America. Much of their migration is off-shore. In New Jersey, Fall migration peaks in late August and early September and drops off through November. All the ones we saw were in nice crisp fresh juvenile plumage as seen here. Typically adults migrate before the juveniles. Notice the very long wings with extensive primary projection beyond the folded tertials; an adaptation for long distance migration. These birds may be confused with Baird's Sandpiper, but Baird's juvenile plumage is much more uniformly scaly above and lacks the contrasting reddish-fringed upper scapular stripes evident here.