Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
CoastalScrapeMedium · 201 g
ID tip
The surfbird is a large sandpiper, reminiscent of the turnstones or the great knot. It measures 23 to 26 cm (9.1–10.2 in) and weighs 133–251 g (4.7–8.9 oz). The sexes look the same, but the females are slightly larger than males on average. Surfbirds their breeding plumage from March through August, and have white heads, necks breast and belly which are streaked with black, except for the crown which are rusty. The streaking becomes less prominent lower in the body.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Surfbird
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Surfbird
The map shades 14 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Surfbird
The surfbird is a small stocky wader in the family Scolopacidae. It was once considered to be allied to the turnstones, and placed in the monotypic genus Aphriza, but is now placed in the genus Calidris.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Broad-billed SandpiperCalidris falcinellusBroad-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.
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisThis species is brown above and has a buff face and underparts in all plumages.
Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminataA small-medium wader, the portly sandpiper has a pot belly, flat back and somewhat drawn-out rear end.
Side by side: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper vs Surfbird · Surfbird vs Terek Sandpiper · Broad-billed Sandpiper vs Surfbird · Buff-breasted Sandpiper vs Surfbird
Learn the Surfbird in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.