Curlew sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

The curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is a small wader.

Family: Scolopacidae Order: Charadriiformes Conservation: Near Threatened

About the Curlew sandpiper

The curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is a small wader. It is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the bogs and coastal lowlands of the Siberian Arctic, arriving there in June and staying until August or September. After the breeding season, it migrates south to spend the winter in Africa and along the coasts of Oceania and southern Eurasia, occupying tidal mudflats and saltpans. It has three main plumages that change with maturity and season. The non-breeding plumage shows brown-greyish upperparts and white underparts. The breeding plumage is much more striking, with the entire front tinted a deep rusty colour, more intensely so in males. The first-year bird does not migrate or breed, instead remaining in its overwintering range throughout the breeding season. It may occasionally mou

Fun Facts About Curlew sandpiper

The female almost always lays one clutch of eggs, usually around the end of June, which hatch after 20 days and fully fledge at 14–20 days.
It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List because land development and the invasive smooth cordgrass have caused significant habitat loss to its overwintering and migratory sites, and climate change has lowered its breeding productivity.
The non-breeding plumage shows brown-greyish upperparts and white underparts.
The non-breeding juvenile plumage is also like that of an adult, except with creamy-coloured streaking on the breast and pale fringes on some of the wing feathers, leading to a scaly appearance.
The breeding plumage is much more striking, with the entire front tinted a deep rusty colour, more intensely so in males.

Conservation Status

The Curlew sandpiper is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Scolopacidae
Genus	Calidris
Species	Calidris ferruginea

Range & Habitat