Galveston Bay Area Chapter - Texas Master Naturalist
· Knowledge sharing – Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) - We welcome sharing of our posts. The Western Sandpiper is a common winter resident in the Galveston Bay Area. Winter birds are a pale gray-brown on the head and back with a white belly. In breeding plumage, the cheek, cap, and shoulders are tinged rufous with bold black markings on the sides and back. They are also distinguished from other sandpipers by black legs and a black, slightly down-turned beak. Western Sandpipers are found along the shore, in tidal flats and sandy beaches. Here they forage by sticking their long bills into the sand or mud for tiny marine invertebrates. They may stand in shallow water to feed or chase waves up and down the shore. As one of the most populous shorebirds in North America, the Western Sandpiper gathers in impressive numbers during migration. Flocks representing a large proportion of breeding individuals, which total in the millions, can be seen at key stopover sites. However, the reliance on a handful of sites can make species vulnerable. Though this species’ population isn’t in trouble yet, it is thought to potentially be decreasing in some areas. Photos and information shared by Chapter members Elizabeth and Elisha Hehir.
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