Description
This bird looks similar to the widely sympatric Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ("C." acuminata), which is not a member of the stint clade however. The Pectoral Sandpiper is a largish calidrid (21 cm in length, with a wingspan of 46 cm) with a grey-brown back, brownest in the summer male, and greyest in winter. The Pectoral Sandpiper has a grey breast, sharply demarcated at its lower edge, which gives this species its English name; this clear dividing line is particularly conspicuous if the birds are turned towards the observer. The legs are yellowish, and the bill is olive with a darker tip.
The juveniles are more brightly patterned above with rufous colouration and white mantle stripes.
This species differs from the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in its breast pattern, weaker supercilium and greyer crown.
Read more about this topic: Pectoral Sandpiper
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