Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Shorebirds

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris acuminata

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Canada Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of the United States Birds of Australian Capital Territory Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of South Australia Birds of Tasmania

By family

Sandpipers & Allies of Australia Sandpipers & Allies of Canada Sandpipers & Allies of the United Kingdom Sandpipers & Allies of the United States Sandpipers & Allies of Australian Capital Territory Sandpipers & Allies of New South Wales Sandpipers & Allies of Northern Territory Sandpipers & Allies of Queensland Sandpipers & Allies of South Australia Sandpipers & Allies of Tasmania

See what's near you right now

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 66.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
Genus Calidris
Species acuminata

Where it lives

Low Arctic to subarctic tundra of northeastern Palearctic: Lena to Kolyma rivers (northeastern Siberia)

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 66.1 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Scolopacidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) is a member of the Scolopacidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL low Arctic to subarctic tundra of ne Palearctic: Lena to Kolyma rivers (ne Siberia).

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 66.1 g, with a wing length of about 12.9 cm and a tail of around 5.3 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 348,000 km².

Songs & calls

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper — Song

Recorded by Andrew Spencer Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 66.1 g.

Where does the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper live?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL low Arctic to subarctic tundra of ne Palearctic: Lena to Kolyma rivers (ne Siberia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper belong to?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper eat?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper migrate?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper make?

1 real field recording of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper's range?

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper has a mapped global range of about 348,000 km².