Bird Guide

Broad-billed Sandpiper vs Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus)

Broad-billed Sandpiper

Calidris falcinellus

Small37 gWetland

Broad-billed sandpipers are small waders, 16–18 cm long, slightly smaller than the dunlin, but larger than the little stint; it has a longer, straighter bill with the tip distinctly kinked down, and shorter legs than dunlin. The breeding adult has dark brown upperparts patterned with narrow, pale feather fringes, and white underparts with blackish markings on the breast. It has a pale crown stripe, and a distinctive double (split) supercilium.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Broad-billed Sandpiper
Recorded by Alfonso Maffezzoli · Flight call · Riserva Statale Le Cesine, Lecce, Puglia, Italy · CC0
Photo: Tokumi · Public domain
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Calidris subruficollis

Medium62 gGrassland

This species is brown above and has a buff face and underparts in all plumages. It has a short bill and yellow legs. Males are larger than females. Juveniles resemble the adults but may be paler on the rear underparts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Stephan Sprinz · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Broad-billed Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper.