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 - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
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Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Scientific name definitions

Steven G. Mlodinow, Guy M. Kirwan, Jan Van Gils, and Popko Wiersma
Version: 2.0 — Published May 31, 2024
Revision Notes

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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.

Distribution of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Recommended Citation

Mlodinow, S. G., G. M. Kirwan, J. Van Gils, and P. Wiersma (2024). Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (B. K. Keeney, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.shtsan.02
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