Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

Like a Least Sandpiper on steroids, Pectoral Sandpipers are fairly common migrants in North Carolina, particularly at the coast. Flock sometimes may be seen inland when droughts draw down lake levels, exposing mudflats.

New Hope Creek mudflats, Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/17/07 (all photos).

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

Leg color is yellow. The bird at top left is a Lesser Yellowlegs.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

Note the sharp demarcation between the streaky breast and the white belly.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

Pecs are fond of hiding in short grass.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.