Birds of Quivira – The Thunder Boomer of the Great North (Pectoral Sandpiper)

One dream I have is to visit the tundra nesting grounds of the shorebirds in the arctic of northern Alaska and witness the territorial displays and nesting activities of these fascinating creatures.  Probably the species I am most keen on observing would have to be the Pectoral Sandpiper.

The “Pec” looks like a larger, slightly better dressed Least Sandpiper, and are relatively common to see during migration in Missouri.  It is when on the nesting grounds when this “pre-lek” species shows its true colors.  Watch this video and this video.  Their “thunder booming”, reminiscent of a Prairie Chicken,  while in flight display is truly impressive and can be heard here:

http://www.xeno-canto.org/139702/embed?simple=1

As the above photo suggests, this is a species more comfortable with its feet in grass than on the sand or mud, such as typically found with other calidrids.

Well, see you in Alaska one lovely summer day.  😉

Thanks for stopping by.

OZB
email: handsomeozarkbillyboy@gmail.com