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Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

IUCN status: Least concern

 

Identification

A small shorebird with short, fine bill, buffish toned plumage and dark centres to feathers of upperparts.   Long wings project well beyond tip of tailwhen the bird is standing.

Confusing Species

White-rumped Sandpiper

Similarities to Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper. Also consider Western, Stilt and Semipalmated Sandpipers.

 

Distribution

 

Distribution

No ordinary distribution in Australia.

Migratory habits

Migrates south to South America

Breeding

Breeds in far-eastern Siberia, Alaska and Canada.

Sightings of Baird’s Sandpiper in Australia

Location State Sighting period
Eyre WA 7/03/1979  
Buckland Park Lake SA 2/01/1987
Lake Connewarre VIC 8/02/1986
Lake McLarty WA 15/12/2016

References

  1. eBird. 2021. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Available:  http://www.ebird.org (Accessed: Date 12/4/2026)
  2. Rogers A, Fuller RA & Amano T (2023) Australia’s migratory shorebirds: Trends and prospects. Report to the National Environmental Science Program. University of Queensland, Brisbane.
  3. Driessen, J., Kidd, L. R., Weller, D. R., Purnell, C., Maguire, G., Jaensch, R., and LeClair, S. M. (2025). Australian National Directory of Important Migratory Shorebird Habitat. Report for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. BirdLife Australia, Melbourne.
  4. https://sproggies63.github.io/birding_apps/