Buff-breasted Sandpiper vs Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

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

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris acuminata

Medium66 gWetland

A small-medium wader, the portly sandpiper has a pot belly, flat back and somewhat drawn-out rear end. It has a mottled chestnut-brown upper body with sharp-looking feathers with a dark centre, a chestnut cap on its head and a brown stripe through each eye. Its bill is dark grey to black and straight, and its legs are olive- to yellow-coloured. The underparts are white or paler in colour, with the mottling similar to that on the breast and sides of the belly. The plumage is more vivid during the breeding season and duller in its winter plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: William Harland (william-harland) · CC BY 4.0

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