Fun Spoon-billed Sandpiper Facts For Kids

The spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) is a shorebird belonging to the Calidris genus which includes wading birds that often engage in migration. The term 'skalidris' or 'kalidris' has its roots in the ancient Greek language, first used by Aristotle to refer to some waterside birds shaded in gray.

The genus is composed of 24 bird species, typically sandpipers. In summers, these birds can be traced in the coastal tundra close to freshwater bodies.

A large population of these birds engages in migration during the harsh winter times. The population of the spoon-billed sandpiper has projected a sharp decline almost pushing the species to the verge of extinction.

However, if you ever travel to Russia, don't forget to visit the Moscow zoo and get a glimpse of these magnificent birds. The Moscow zoo has taken initiatives to revive the bird population from the brink of extinction.

Expert ornithologists had joined hands to save the species by enhancing captive breeding methods. Eggs of the spoon-billed sandpiper extracted from the wilderness were hatched and reared on Russian tundra.

These birds were then re-released into the wild. These birds can be sighted briefly during migration around late April, May, and September as they pass over South Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

If you intend to delve deep into some more mind-boggling facts about other sandpiper species then the common sandpiper and curlew sandpiper are absolutely unmissable!

Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a spoon-billed sandpiper?

A member of the Scolopacidae family, the spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) is a species of shorebird.

What class of animal does a spoon-billed sandpiper belong to?

Spoon-billed sandpipers belong to the class Aves. They have been classified under the Calidris genus.

How many spoon-billed sandpipers are there in the world?

Only 240-456 adult spoon-billed sandpipers are currently in existence throughout the world. According to recent predictions, the population is believed to be 242-378. The population trend has projected a significant decrease with a 26% annual decline rate.

Where does a spoon-billed sandpiper live?

The geographical range of the spoon-billed sandpiper covers a vast area including Russia as its breeding grounds and several countries of South and Southeast Asia as its wintering grounds. Migration can be noticed across 14 countries.

Countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China are its major wintering grounds. To reach these countries the birds undertake an arduous journey of around 4,970 mi (8,000 km) flying along the coasts of Russia, Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

What is a spoon-billed sandpiper's habitat?

The habitat range of the spoon-billed sandpiper primarily encompasses grasslands, coastal beaches, and mudflats. Sandy ridges and lagoon spits with a low vegetative cover are its breeding habitat.

Who do spoon-billed sandpipers live with?

During the breeding period, the species can be found in pairs. They tend to feed solitarily or in small scattered flocks outside the breeding period.

How long does a spoon-billed sandpiper live?

The life expectancy of the spoon-billed sandpiper needs to be unraveled. Generally, a sandpiper has an average lifespan of 10 years.

How do they reproduce?

These birds form monogamous pairs. The males participate in aerial displays until they form pairs for breeding. They also exhibit aggressive territorialism. During the breeding season, they reside in the coastal tundra near lagoons.

This is because nests are constructed in shallow depressions among willow leaves and mosses. After copulation, the females normally lay four eggs, raising a brood annually. Incubation lasts for about 19-23 days after which both parents nurture the young.

What is their conservation status?

As per the computations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of the spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) falls under the Critically Endangered category as the population has diminished considerably qualifying the species to the thresholds of vulnerability.

Did you know that another sandpiper species, that is, the semipalmated sandpiper is also Near Threatened?

Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Fun Facts

What do spoon-billed sandpipers look like?

These birds have a round head, plump body, spatulate bill, and long legs. The edge of the bill resembles a spoon. While a breeding adult exhibits reddish-brown neck, breast, and head with blackish underparts fringed with pale rufous and buff, the non-breeding ones lack the reddish hue.

However, non-breeding adults possess brown-gray upper parts with white fringes along the wing coverts. The wingspan is around 12.6-15 in (32-38 cm). The species bears resemblance to the little stint as well as the red-necked stint.

We've been unable to source an image of a spoon-billed sandpiper and have used an image of sandpiper instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of spoon-billed sandpiper, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

How cute are they?

The spoon-billed sandpipers are just irresistible when it comes to cuteness. It is a treat to watch a little blackish bird with a spoon-shaped bill running along the beach in summer! The chicks are overloaded with cuteness.

How do they communicate?

The species mainly interacts through calls. Innumerable sounds and calls are produced during the breeding period, especially while forming pairs. Shrill insect-like buzzes like 'zhree-zhree-zhree' are audible on the breeding grounds. In winter, 'whoeatt-whoeatt' while short ' wheet', 'puree' sounds have been identified in flight.

How big is a spoon-billed sandpiper?

Spoon-billed sandpipers are small shorebirds that can grow up to an average length of 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm). Despite the small size, these birds are slightly larger than the least sandpiper measuring 5.1-5.9 in (13-15 cm).

How fast can a spoon-billed sandpiper fly?

Surprisingly, sandpipers can attain great flying speeds of about 50 mph (80 kph) while migrating long distances to reach the wintering grounds. Although the accurate speed range of the spoon-billed sandpipers remains undeciphered, they're not known to reach great heights as their upper elevation limit is only 230 ft (70 m).

How much does a spoon-billed sandpiper weigh?

The average weight of the spoon-billed sandpiper ranges from 0.07-0.09 lb (31-40 g). The females are larger in comparison to the males. The average weight of the males is around 0.06 lb (29.5 g) while a female can measure 0.07 lb (34 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The males and females of the species are commonly regarded as cocks and hens.

What would you call a baby spoon-billed sandpiper?

A baby spoon-billed sandpiper is extremely lovable and can be called a chick in short. Terms like hatchling or nestling can also be used for a baby bird.

What do they eat?

These coastal birds enjoy an omnivorous diet that incorporates a variety of terrestrial insects like beetles, aquatic amphipods, larval crustaceans, juvenile mollusks, and polychaetes. They also consume seeds.

Chicks mostly feed on flies, beetles, and plant seeds. These birds prefer to forage and feed solitarily but sometimes small scattered flocks can be spotted.

They tend to consume adult invertebrates such as spiders, beetles, and midges, and their larvae on the breeding grounds. These birds tend to forage on intertidal mudflats, often feeding on the little pools created by the receding tidal waters.

Are they poisonous?

The spoon-billed sandpiper is completely nonvenomous.

Would they make a good pet?

Unlike parrots, these wild birds do not make good pets. Although these birds are reared in captive breeding programs, it's illegal to maintain these Critically Endangered birds as pets.

Did you know...

Here are some spoon-billed sandpiper chick facts:

Did you know that chicks are born with the spoon-shaped bill? The bill helps them to scoop out beetles and flies from the muddy soil.

Predators of chicks and eggs include ground squirrels, skuas, stoats, and Arctic foxes.

Why are spoon-billed sandpipers endangered?

The spoon-billed sandpiper has been considered Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The population of these sandpipers is thinning out every year due to factors like climate change, habitat loss, pollution, aquaculture, hunting, and harmful land reclamation practices.

Conservation measures have already been introduced to save the species.

Breeding programs and reconstruction and preservation of their natural habitat have helped to repopulate several areas in Russia. Adequate precautionary measures are essential to revive and preserve the species so that it doesn't end up in extinction like the Tahitian sandpiper (Prosobonia leucoptera).

How did the sandpiper get its name?

Sandpipers got their name from their whistling calls or the piping sounds that they make. The name of the species is derived from its appearance. The most distinguishing feature, that is, the spatulate bill makes the bird unique.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our little auk fun facts and Sanderling facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable spoon-billed sandpiper coloring pages.