Western sandpiper resting at seaside beach cover photo - 290351292

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Cover photo description:
Western sandpiper resting at seaside beach, it is a small sandpiper with relatively long, droopy bill longer on females. In breeding plumage, shows rich rufous tones on shoulders, cheeks, and crown. Nonbreeding is plain pale gray above and white below. Juveniles look pale-faced and have a bright strip of rufous feathers on the upper edge of the wings. Most similar to Semipalmated Sandpiper, which averages shorter-billed and duller grayish-brown overall. Extremely difficult to distinguish in winter note Western is somewhat larger-headed and more front-heavy. Droopy bill might recall Dunlin, but Western is smaller and paler. Breeds on high Arctic tundra in Alaska. In migration and winter, occurs in large flocks on mudflats and beaches. Much more common in western North America

alaska america animal arctic beach beaches bill bird birding birdwatching breeding breeds bright cheeks coastal colorful common crown distinguish droopy duller dunlin edge feather feathers feeding females flocks front heavy gray grayish brown juveniles large larger headed longer migration mudflats nonbreeding north pale pale faced paler plain plumage resting rich rufous sandpiper seabird seashore seaside semipalmated shorebird shoreline shorter billed shoulders shows smaller strip tones tundra upper western white wildlife wings