Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Scientific name definitions
- VU Vulnerable
- Names (45)
- Monotypic
Revision Notes
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Species names in all available languages
Language | Common name |
---|---|
Afrikaans | Spitsstertruiter |
Asturian | Mazaricu acuminñu |
Bulgarian | Остроопашат брегобегач |
Catalan | territ acuminat |
Chinese | 尖尾濱鷸 |
Chinese (Hong Kong SAR China) | 尖尾濱鷸 |
Chinese (SIM) | 尖尾滨鹬 |
Croatian | oštrorepi žalar |
Czech | jespák klínoocasý |
Danish | Spidshalet Ryle |
Dutch | Siberische Strandloper |
English | Sharp-tailed Sandpiper |
English (United States) | Sharp-tailed Sandpiper |
Finnish | suippopyrstösirri |
French | Bécasseau à queue pointue |
French (France) | Bécasseau à queue pointue |
Galician | Pilro acuminado |
German | Spitzschwanz-Strandläufer |
Greek | Οξύουρη Σκαλίδρα |
Hebrew | חופית חדת-זנב |
Hungarian | Hegyesfarkú partfutó |
Icelandic | Ósatíta |
Indonesian | Kedidi ekor-tajam |
Japanese | ウズラシギ |
Korean | 메추라기도요 |
Lithuanian | Smailiauodegis bėgikas |
Mongolian | Сүүл элсэг |
Norwegian | spisshalesnipe |
Polish | biegus ostrosterny |
Portuguese (Portugal) | Pilrito-acuminado |
Romanian | Fugaci cu coadă ascuțită |
Russian | Острохвостый песочник |
Serbian | Sibirska crnogruda sprutka |
Slovak | pobrežník ostrochvostý |
Slovenian | Ostrorepi prodnik |
Spanish | Correlimos Acuminado |
Spanish (Chile) | Playero acuminado |
Spanish (Ecuador) | Playero Coliagudo |
Spanish (Mexico) | Playero de Cola Afilada |
Spanish (Panama) | Playero Acuminado |
Spanish (Spain) | Correlimos acuminado |
Swedish | spetsstjärtad snäppa |
Thai | นกชายเลนกระหม่อมแดง |
Turkish | Kıl Kuyruklu Kumkuşu |
Ukrainian | Побережник гострохвостий |
Revision Notes
Steven G. Mlodinow revised the account. Dave Bakewell and Peter Pyle contributed to the Plumages, Molts, and Structure page, and Guy M. Kirwan contributed to the Systematics page. Huy Truong updated the distribution map. Otse K. Attah copyedited the draft. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media.
Calidris acuminata (Horsfield, 1821)
Definitions
- CALIDRIS
- calidris
- acuminata / acuminatus
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Introduction
The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) was not known to science until 1821, when one was collected on Java. The first nest was not discovered until 1957, when K. A. Vorobiev found a single nest in the Russian Far East (1). Despite its historical obscurity, this attractive, medium-sized sandpiper is full of surprises. For decades, the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) was considered its nearest relative, largely due to similarities in appearance and (presumed) ecology. Nonetheless, a multi-gene study revealed that its sister species is actually the rather different-looking Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus), which at that time, was in its own genus, Limicola (2).
Although seemingly delicate, this long-distance migrant is far more durable than it appears, successfully flying more than 10,000 km each way between its far eastern Siberian breeding grounds and its Australasian (primarily Australian) "wintering" grounds. Furthermore, juveniles add a one-time detour of approximately 2,300 km due east to the west coast of Alaska to beef up before undertaking a nonstop overwater flight of up to 9,800 km southwards to Australasia (3); a flight that rivals that of the much larger Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) and Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) that breed in Alaska (4, 5). During their refueling period, some young Sharp-tailed Sandpipers double their weight, largely due to fat deposition (3). The only other avian species known to have a migratory route unique to its juveniles is the European Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus)(6, 7).
The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is listed as not globally threatened (Least Concern). Its world population is uncertain, but is probably in the vicinity of 100,000 birds (8, 9). This compares with a population of >1,500,000 birds for Pectoral Sandpiper(10), 1,085,000–1,285,000 birds for Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) (11), and 29,000 to 40,000 for Broad-billed Sandpiper (12). Though its status seems secure, it is threatened by habitat loss at migratory stops in Asia caused by industrial development and water diversion along major tributaries (13).
We know something of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper's polygynous or, possibly, promiscuous breeding habits (14, 15, 16, 17), but there is still much to learn about its breeding biology and the migratory habits of adults. Even its movements on its wintering grounds, which are complex, are only partially understood. Much work can be done before we understand the lifestyle of this beautiful bird and thus learn how to protect it.