Its wings are so long they extend past the tail tip at rest — a key adaptation for one of the longest migratory journeys in the avian world: over 14,000 km from Arctic breeding grounds to the southern tip of South America.
Distinctive features include the characteristic white patch on the upper tail coverts, visible in flight, which gives the species its name. These small shorebirds are regularly seen foraging along sandy beaches and rocky shorelines, building up energy reserves for their transcontinental flights.
• White-rumped sandpiper
• Playerito de rabadilla blanca, Correlimos culiblanco
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family:Scolopacidae
Genus:Calidris
Species: Calidris fuscicollis
Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay
Camera: Canon EOS 77D / 9000D
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 600.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/800
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 320
Photo Taken: April 11, 2026
High resolution
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