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Pectoral Sandpiper | Calidris melanotos
The Pectoral Sandpiper is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Scolopacidae bird family group which includes birds such as Snipes, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels, Shanks, Stints, Sandpipers, Ruff, Turnstones, Phalaropes. The description for the Pectoral Sandpiper (Latin name Calidris melanotos) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Calidris melanotos can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 279 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 371. You will find a picture of the Pectoral Sandpiper on page 369. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Pectoral Sandpiper between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Pectoral Sandpiper has a height of 23 cms and weighs around 70 gms. The head is coloured chestnut while the bill is coloured black. The Calidris melanotos has a black, white coloured throat, olive legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Calidris melanotos has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is chestnut Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are olive Throat is black, white Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Pectoral Sandpiper is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams You can see the Pectoral Sandpiper bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
