Shorebird Chick (Likely Sandpiper or Plover)

About

Shorebird chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of hatching. They are typically downy, cryptically colored, and capable of feeding themselves shortly after hatching, though they remain under parental supervision for protection. Identification to species level is often challenging without expert knowledge and close observation, as many species' chicks share similar appearances.

Size & lifespan

Length

Varies greatly by species, typically 5-15 cm

Wingspan

Wings are undeveloped at hatching, not measurable in the same way as adults. Adult wingspan varies from 20-60 cm.

Weight

Varies greatly by species, typically 5-50 g at hatching

Lifespan

Chicks are vulnerable; if they survive to fledging, adult lifespan varies by species (e.g., 5-15+ years)

Diet

Small invertebrates (insects, spiders, marine worms, small crustaceans)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Downy, cryptically patterned with shades of brown, grey, black, and white. Patterns often include stripes, spots, or mottling on the back and crown, with paler underparts. The specific patterns are crucial for species identification.

Beak shape

Short to medium-length, straight or slightly decurved/recurved, depending on species. Often proportionally shorter and thicker than adult bills.

Eye color

Dark brown, often appearing large relative to the head size.

Leg color

Typically dark (grey, black) or pale (yellowish, greenish), often duller than adult leg coloration.

Distinguishing features

Precocial nature, downy plumage, cryptic coloration, relatively large eyes, short bill, and often disproportionately long legs for their body size. Specific patterns of down, leg color, and bill shape are key for species identification.

Juvenile appearance

Chicks are covered in down. After fledging, they develop juvenile plumage which is typically duller and more cryptically patterned than adult breeding plumage, often resembling adult non-breeding plumage but with more distinct feather edgings or streaking.

Seasonal changes

Chicks are only present during the breeding season. Their appearance changes as they grow, transitioning from downy chick to juvenile plumage, then to adult non-breeding and eventually breeding plumage over subsequent seasons.

Sexual dimorphism

None apparent in chicks.

How to identify

1. 1

   Downy Plumage Pattern

   Observe the specific patterns of stripes, spots, and mottling on the chick's back, crown, and sides. These patterns are often species-specific and serve as camouflage.

2. 2

   Bill Shape and Length

   Note the relative length and shape of the bill (straight, slightly decurved, or recurved). While shorter than adults, the general shape can hint at the species.

3. 3

   Leg Color

   Observe the color of the legs and feet. This can range from dark grey/black to yellowish or greenish, and can be a distinguishing feature.

4. 4

   Behavior and Habitat

   Consider the chick's behavior (e.g., foraging style, interaction with parents) and the specific habitat it is found in. This context can narrow down potential species.

5. 5

   Parental Association

   The most reliable way to identify a shorebird chick is to identify its parents. Observe which adult birds are attending to the chick, as they will be of the same species.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Coastal beaches, mudflats, salt marshes, tundra, arctic and alpine meadows, grasslands, freshwater wetlands, agricultural fields.

Geographic range

Global, with species breeding across all continents except Antarctica, and migrating across vast distances.

Elevation range

Sea level to high alpine tundra, depending on the species.

Preferred environments

Open areas with sparse vegetation or bare ground, often near water, providing good visibility for predator detection and access to invertebrate food sources. Specific preferences vary greatly by species (e.g., sandy beaches for plovers, wet tundra for some sandpipers).

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, primarily active during daylight hours for foraging and avoiding predators.

Feeding habits

Forage independently or with parents, pecking at the ground or probing shallowly for small invertebrates. They learn foraging techniques by observing parents.

Social behavior

Typically stay close to parents or siblings for protection. Some species' chicks may form small crèches (groups) under the care of a few adults.

Flight pattern

Chicks are flightless. Once fledged, flight patterns vary by species, often swift and direct, or erratic and agile.

Migration pattern

Chicks are born on breeding grounds and are too young to migrate. They fledge and then undertake their first migration with or without adults, depending on the species.

Territoriality

Parents are highly territorial around the nest and young, defending them from predators and intruders. Chicks themselves are not territorial.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Spring and summer in temperate and arctic regions, varying geographically by species.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically scrapes on the ground, often sparsely lined with vegetation, pebbles, or shell fragments. They are usually well-camouflaged in open areas.

Clutch size

Typically 3-4 eggs.

Egg description

Eggs are typically pyriform (pear-shaped), cryptically colored with spots, blotches, or streaks on a pale background (buff, olive, cream). Clutch size is usually 3-4 eggs.

Incubation period

Varies by species, typically 20-30 days, shared by both parents or primarily by one.

Fledging period

Varies by species, typically 18-35 days. Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching, but are not capable of flight until fledging.

Parental care

Both parents typically care for the chicks, brooding them for warmth and protection, and leading them to foraging areas. Parents actively defend chicks from predators. In some species, one parent may depart before chicks fledge, leaving the other to care for them.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Observe from a Distance. Shorebird chicks are extremely vulnerable. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe them without causing disturbance. Approaching too closely can stress the chicks and parents, or cause parents to abandon them.
2. Look for Attending Adults. The easiest way to identify a chick is to identify its parents. Watch for adult shorebirds exhibiting parental behaviors like alarm calls, distraction displays, or brooding.
3. Be Patient and Still. Chicks are masters of camouflage. Remain still and scan the area carefully. They often freeze when alarmed, blending perfectly with their surroundings.
4. Check Local Breeding Records. Consult local birding guides or eBird data for information on which shorebird species breed in your specific area. This will help narrow down potential identifications.

Similar species

Quick facts

Precocial:

Hatch with open eyes, downy, and able to move and feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Camouflage:

Cryptically patterned down provides excellent camouflage against predators.

Parental Care:

Highly dependent on parents for protection, brooding, and guidance to foraging areas.

Vulnerability:

High mortality rate due to predation and environmental factors.

Identification Challenge:

Often difficult to identify to species without observing parents or very close, detailed views.

Fun facts

• Some shorebird chicks, like those of plovers, are so well camouflaged that they can be almost impossible to spot even when you know they are there, often freezing perfectly still at the slightest sign of danger.
• Shorebird parents employ various distraction displays, such as 'broken-wing' acts, to lure predators away from their vulnerable chicks.
• Despite being able to feed themselves, chicks rely on their parents for warmth, especially in cold environments like the arctic tundra, where they are frequently brooded.
• The rapid development of shorebird chicks is crucial for species breeding in the Arctic, allowing them to fledge before the short summer ends and migration begins.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Scolopacidae or Charadriidae

Genus

Varies (e.g., Calidris, Pluvialis)

Species

Varies (e.g., Calidris alba, Pluvialis squatarola)

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