Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large geographic range size (extent of occurrence >7 million km2 in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons), and so does not approach Criterion B thresholds. It also has a large estimated population size, with at least 1,200,000 mature individuals in Arctic Canada alone (Smith et al. in prep.), and so does not approach Criteria C or D thresholds. Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 13 years), the data presented in Smith et al. (2023) indicate broad stability, albeit with some interannual fluctuations. This is consistent with the recent trend based on data from the non-breeding season by eBird during 2014-2021 (Fink et al. 2023). As there is no evidence that the population is declining, let alone at a rate approaching Criterion A thresholds, the species continues to warrant listing as Least Concern.
Population justification
The species has a large estimated population size, with at least 1,200,000-1,400,000 mature individuals in Arctic Canada alone (Smith et al. in prep., Bart et al. in prep.).The European population (exclusively individuals breeding in Greenland) is estimated at 500-1,000 pairs, which equates to 1,000-2,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). The population in Russia has been estimated at < c.100,000 breeding pairs and < c.1,000 individuals on migration (Brazil 2009). The population in Alaska has not been estimated but is said to be 'small' (Bart et al. in prep.). The global population is estimated at 1,200,000-1,500,000 mature individuals to account for birds breeding outside of Canada.
Trend justification
Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 13 years), the data presented in Smith et al. (2023) indicate broad stability, albeit with some interannual fluctuations. This is consistent with the recent trend based on data from the non-breeding season by eBird during 2014-2021 (Fink et al. 2023).
Breeds from western and northern Alaska, south to central Alaska (USA). They are also found across arctic Canada from northern and central Yukon Territory, extreme north-west British Columbia, northern Northwest Territories, and northern Nunavut. In addition, they breed in north-west Greenland and north-east Siberia (Russia), including Wrangel Island and the Chukotski Peninsula. During the non-breeding season, the species migrates to South America, wintering in the Andes from Ecuador to Chile, in lowlands from Paraguay and Uruguay to Tierra del Fuego, and in the high deserts and coastal areas of northern Chile. They are also recorded along the Chilean desert coast (Moskoff and Montgomerie 2020).
This species is fully migratory. Many migrate inland, across the North American prairies, the Rockies and northern Andes, often staging at high altitude lakes. Adults depart on autumn migration in early July, females slightly preceding males. Juveniles migrate later from the breeding grounds, from late July, in more leisurely fashion, and over a broader front. Northwards migration occurs largely along the same route. It is a vagrant to several European countries, especially Britain and Ireland, and also to Turkey, the Azores, Madeira, Canary and Cape Verde Islands. The species breeds on low mountain tops, river terraces and coastal barren areas and bluffs in high Arctic tundra; dry, high-lying lichen tundra and stony ridges. On migration and in winter the species occurs at inland wetlands to coastal habitats, including grassland, ditches, irrigated or rain-soaked fields, pools in desert, sand dunes; occasionally in upper littoral zone of estuaries, mudflats and beaches; usually on higher parts of the shore or dry fringes of wetland sites, often among vegetation. During the breeding season the diet consists mainly of insects, such as chironomid and cranefly larvae and adults, and beetles; also spiders. On migration, the species feeds on adult and larval beetles, larval Diptera. It is less gregarious than most other calidrines; in winter it can be found in flocks of 20–30 birds; some individuals defend feeding territory. Eggs are laid in June. Monogamous. Nest is relatively exposed; simple, shallow depression in bare ground, or amongst short vegetation, filled with bits of lichens or other vegetation (Van Gils et al. 2015).
The species may be vulnerable to climate change, driving a mismatch between breeding and peak cranefly abundance (Green and Pearce-Higgins 2014). Additionally, like other migratory shorebirds the species is likely affected to an unknown degree by pollution and loss of suitable habitat, both on passage and in non-breeding areas (Hardy et al. 2007).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is not listed on priority lists of the Conventions.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore wetland habitats by improving water resource management and coastal development practices. Public awareness campaigns emphasize the importance of minimizing human impact on bird habitats (Hardy et al. 2007).
Text account compilers
Ashpole, J, Chad, E., Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bairds-sandpiper-calidris-bairdii on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.