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Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

CommonBird
Illustration of Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper is a medium-sized 'peep' with a long, attenuated body and wing tips that project well beyond the tail — giving it a distinctive elongated look. Its buffy-brown scaly back is helpful for identification. It is one of the latest fall migrants, and young birds sometimes remain until November in the interior. It migrates in a narrow corridor through the Great Plains.

Habitat
Upland tundra in summer; dry beaches and short-grass areas in migration
Diet
Insects and small invertebrates
How common
Common

Best time to see a Baird's Sandpiper

The best time to see a Baird's Sandpiper is July–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,423 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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