Sanderlings, Phalaropes & Allies of Galapagos

Category: Shore Birds
Family: Scolopacidae

A total of twenty six species have been recorded in Galapagos, including 14 migrants and 12 vagrants. These shorebirds, recorded in Galapagos vary in size from the small sandpipers (often referred to as 'peeps') to the medium-sized Whimbrel. They also vary in structure from the short-legged to the long-legged and from the short-billed to the long-billed. The larger and strikingly plumaged species are generally quite easy to identify. However, the smaller ones can be difficult and some, particularly when they are in non-breeding plumage, are distinguishable only by careful observation of their overall structure, sub de plumage features, leg color, bill shape and rump pattern.

RUDDY TURNSTONE

Scientific Name: Arenaria interpres
Family: Scolopacidae
Length: 21 - 26 cm (8.3 - 10.2 in)

A common migrant, present throughout the year although most numerous from September to March; confined to the coast.

Identification: A smallish, rather stocky wader with relatively short, orange legs and short, slighty upturned bill. In flight shows distinctive variegated wing-pattern. ADULT BREEDlNG: Back and wings rufous; distinctive black and white facial pattern and black breast-band contrasting with unmarked white under parts; throat white. ADULT NON-BREEDlNG AND JUVENILE: Similar to, but duller than, breeding adult, with less rufous on upper parts and less distinct head-pattern.

Voice: A staccato rattle "tuk, tuk-e-tuk-tuk".

Behavior: Usually occurs in small flocks and is commonly seen in a Galapagos cruise.

WANDERING TATTLER

Scientific Name: Heteroscelus incanus
Family: Scolopacidae
Length: 26 - 29 cm (10.2 - 11.4 in)

Common migrant of Galapagos. Found throughout the year on rocky coasts

Identification: A rather plain, medium-sized wader, with a stout, straight bill, white supercilium and short, yellow legs. ADULT BREEDlNG: Dark-grey above, heavily barred below. ADULT NON-BREEDING / JUVENILE: Under parts unbarred, the pale grey breast contrasting with the white belly.

Voice: A clear 8-10-note trill, all on the same pitch.

SANDERLING

Scientific Name: Calidris alba
Family: Scolopacidae
Length: 20 - 21 cm (7.8 - 8.3 in)

Common migrant, particularly during the northern winter, confined to the shore zone.

Identification:A very active small wader, distinctively pale in non-breeding plumage, with short black bill and legs. Runs energetically along the tideline. ADULT BREEDING: Head, mantle and breast rusty-red; under parts white. ADULT NON-BREEDlNG / FIRST-WINTER: Very pale grey above, with black shoulder-patch, and pure white below. JUVENILE: Mantle checkered black and white; creamy wash on breast and flanks.

Voice: A sharp "krit", often repeated.

WHIMBREL

Scientific Name: Numenius phaeopus
Family: Scolopacidae
Length: 40 - 46 cm (15.7 - 18.1 in)

Regular migrant of Galapagos, found on rocky shores and lagoons, also around pools and in grassy areas in the highlands..

Identification: Whimbrels are unmistakable: the only large wader with a long, down curved bill. Long-legged with conspicuously striped crown. ADULT: Upper parts grey-brown; under parts paler with fine streaking on breast. JUVENILE: Upperparts slightly darker than in adult with buff spots and fringes on flight feathers.

Voice: A very characteristic and far-carrying six or seven note trill: "tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu".

Behavior: Found on rocky shores and lagoons; also around pools and in grassy areas in the highlands.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE

Scientific Name: Phalaropus lobatus
Family: Scolopacidae
Length: 18 - 19 cm (7.1 - 7.5 in)
Wingspan: 31 - 34 cm (12.2 - 13.4 in)

Red-necked Phalaropes are common migrants of Galapagos, particularly between August and April with large flocks often occurring between the southern and central islands from December to January. Found at sea or on saltwater lagoons.

Identification: The smallest and daintiest phalarope; Red-necked Phalaropes are thin-necked and very thin-billed. As with all phalaropes, the male is less brightly colored than the female in breeding plumage, reflecting their reversed roles in incubation and rearing young. ADULT FEMALE BREEDlNG: Bright chestnut-red sides to neck; slate-grey crown, face, sides of neck and breast; white throat and eye-spot; dark mantle, with bright buff lateral stripes. ADULT MALE BREEDlNG: Similar to breeding female but duller. ADULT NON-BREEDlNG / FIRST-WINTER: Predominantly grey above and white below, with black crown and eye-patch (usually slightly wider than in Red Phalarope, which is very similar in this plumage). Upperparts more contrasting than in Red Phalarope, with whitish fringes forming stripes along edge of mantle and scapulars. In flight shows darker central upper tail-coverts than Red. JUVENILE: Resembles non-breeding adult, but dark brown above and buffy-pink below.

Voice: Call is a shrill "kip", reminiscent of Sanderling.

Behavior: Unlike other waders, phalaropes are normally seen swimming rather than on land. Food is picked from the water surface, disturbed by the bird's rapid spinning motion. Highly gregarious and often extremely tame.