Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Sweetwater Wetlands, Pima County

This Semipalmated Sandpiper was found by Jerry Bock and Andrew Core and photographed by Andrew Core on 21 August 2009.  It was with a Western and a Least Sandpiper for direct comparison. In the first photo, the Western is the out of focus bird in the rear, the Least the bird to the right in front of the Killdeer and the Semipalmated is the bird in the front to the left.

A rare fall transient in Arizona.  Usually associates with other peeps. 

Crisp pale edges to feathers indicate this is a juvenile.  Black legs and lack of rusty scapulars eliminate the other two small peeps. 

21 August 2009, photo by Andrew Core