Bird Guide

Baird's Sandpiper vs Temminck's Stint

Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii)

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

Small41 gGrassland

Adults have black legs and a short, straight, thin dark bill. They are dark brown on top and mainly white underneath with a black patch on the rump. The head and breast are light brown with dark streaks. In winter plumage, this species is paler brownish grey above. This bird can be difficult to distinguish from other similar tiny shorebirds; these are known collectively as "peeps" or "stints". One of the best identification features is the long wings, which extend beyond the tail when the bird is on the ground.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Doug Hynes · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Stephan Sprinz · CC BY 4.0
Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckii

Small23 gGrassland

These birds are very small waders, at 13.5–15 cm (5.3–5.9 in) length. They are similar in size to the little stint (Calidris minuta) but shorter legged and longer winged. The legs are dull yellowish or brown, and the outer tail feathers white, in contrast to little stint's black legs and grey outer tail feathers. This is a rather drab wader, with mainly plain brown upperparts and head, and underparts white apart from a darker breast. The breeding adult has some brighter rufous and/or blackish mantle feathers to relieve the generally undistinguished appearance.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: renshuchu · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Baird's Sandpiper and Temminck's Stint.