Spoonbill Sandpiper

1. Bird Name

The Spoonbill Sandpiper, known scientifically as the Calidris pygmeus is a small wading bird, popular for its unique spatula-like bill. This unique bird is a member of the sandpiper family ‘Scolopacidae’.

2. Appearance

The Spoonbill Sandpiper is a diminutive bird, showcasing a remarkable spoon-shaped bill that grows to full size during breeding season. With earthy brown feathers resembling the colors of a wet sand beach, they feature chestnut coloration on the upper parts and a white underside. The body tends to be lightly streaked, and the wings have striking white lines visible during flight. The male sports a more vibrant chestnut hue during breeding. The eyes are black and the legs range from an olive-green to a yellowish hue.

3. Size

This bird is small, about 14 to 16 cm in length. It has relatively short legs for a wading bird, measuring between 3.5 and 4 cm. The wingspan averages 36 cm. Their weight range lies between 32 to 66 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution

The Spoonbill Sandpiper breeds in North Eastern Russia, specifically in the Chukotsk Peninsula and southward along the coast to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Outside their intimate breeding season, they embark on extensive migration routes, spending their winters in South and Southeast Asia, primarily in Bangladesh and Myanmar. They inhabit wetland habitats, such as mudflats, tidal zones, and shallow coasts.

5. Interesting Facts

One interesting fact about Spoonbill Sandpipers is their polygamous breeding behavior; males usually mate with multiple females per breeding season. Equally striking is their method of feeding. They sweep their unique spoon-shaped bills back and forth in shallow water to pick out food. Another fun fact is that they have been sighted in locations as varied as Massachusetts, Scotland, and the Hawaiian Islands, though these are considered vagrants rather than regular visitors.

6. Diet

Spoonbill Sandpipers are omnivores and primarily eat tiny insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter found within their wetland habitats.

7. Behavior & Sounds

They often display complex mating displays, marked by distinctive song flights. Their calls are characterized by a subtle, sweet ‘pleeet,’ usually produced in flight. As for their feeding habits, they utilize their unique bill to swiftly sweep through water in a side-to-side motion to search for food.

8. Conservation Status

Sadly, the Spoonbill Sandpiper is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss being the primary cause of their declining numbers. Efforts are ongoing internationally to conserve their breeding and feeding grounds.

9. Lifespan

On average, Spoonbill Sandpipers can live up to seven years in the wild. Lifespan in captivity is not well-documented as these species are seldom kept in captive conditions due to their migratory nature.

10. Additional Notes

In their non-breeding habitats, Spoonbills sometimes interact with humans, albeit indirectly, through activities like fishing and rice cultivation. They are considered an important balance-holder in the ecosystem, acting as efficient controllers of the insect and small invertebrate population.

Known in Russian as “Lopastnicovyi Pessochii”, their local name perfectly encapsulates their defining feature – the spatula-like bill. Despite their small size and frail appearance, this bird’s adaptation to harsh ecosystems and extensive migratory routes represent their striking aspect of resilience and survival capacities. Their life-story serves as an urgent reminder of the effects of habitat destruction on wildlife and the pressing need for conservation.