Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Sandpipers
Bécasseaux et Chevaliers
Actitis, Bartramia, Calidris, Tringa & Tryngites
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are at least twenty-two native and vagrant species of sandpipers that have been identified in North America. Almost all of these types of sandpipers migrate into the northern ranges of the continent where they nest and raise their young.
The sandpipers are a challenge for even an experienced birder, to have the confidence to identify each bird with certainty. There are subtle differences between some species, specifically when trying to distinguish between their colours, sizes and calls, as well as taking into account whether they are in breeding plumage or non-breeding plumage and then whether they are juvenile or adult.
The largest number of sandpiper species that are threatened are the ones that share their habitat with human civilization. These are the Upland Sandpiper and the Spotted Sandpiper. Whereas, the Upland Sandpiper is losing its pastures to crops and developments and the Spotted Sandpiper through the loss of suitable shorelines.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
