Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), , Maricopa County

This Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was discovered by Mark Ochs and Dave Pearson and photographed by David Pearson on 28 September 2013 eleven miles north of Gila Bend and 11 milse south of Gillespie Dam on old US Highway 80 near Cotton Center.

Three previous records from 1972, 1985 and 2003.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (on left) next to a Pectoral Sandpiper shows size scale. Reddish crown and buffy breast without streaking  distinguish immature Sharp-tail  from Pectoral Sandpiper.

28 September 2013, photo by David Pearson

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