Photo: marlin harms / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Surfbird

Calidris virgata

Surfbird (Calidris virgata) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

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 Argentina Birds of Canada Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia

By family

Sandpipers & Allies of Argentina Sandpipers & Allies of Canada Sandpipers & Allies of Colombia Sandpipers & Allies of Costa Rica Sandpipers & Allies of Ecuador Sandpipers & Allies of Mexico Sandpipers & Allies of Peru Sandpipers & Allies of the United States Sandpipers & Allies of Alberta Sandpipers & Allies of British Columbia

See what's near you right now

The Surfbird (Calidris virgata) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 201 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Montane low Arctic to subarctic western Nearctic tundra: Alaska mainland (except far northern) and Yukon (northwestern Canada)

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 201 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Scolopacidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Surfbird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

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

The Surfbird (Calidris virgata) is a member of the Scolopacidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA montane low Arctic to subarctic w Nearctic tundra: Alaska mainland (except far n) and Yukon (nw Canada).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 201 g, with a wing length of about 17.3 cm and a tail of around 6.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 663,000 km².

Songs & calls

Surfbird — Call

Recorded by Patrik Åberg Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Surfbird?

The Surfbird is a large bird that weighs around 201 g.

Where does the Surfbird live?

The Surfbird is found across North America with a range covering NA montane low Arctic to subarctic w Nearctic tundra: Alaska mainland (except far n) and Yukon (nw Canada), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Surfbird belong to?

The Surfbird (Calidris virgata) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Surfbird eat?

The Surfbird hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Surfbird migrate?

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

Is the Surfbird endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Surfbird make?

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

How large is the Surfbird's range?

The Surfbird has a mapped global range of about 663,000 km².