Calidris minutilla (Vieillot, 1819)
Least sandpiper
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Family:  Scolopacidae (sandpipers)
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  others; freshwater; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic and Northeast Pacific: Canada.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  World's smallest shorebird, 19-25 g mass; long-lived, with record of a female breeding at minimum age of 16 years (Ref. 87784). Beach, shoreline, bay and nearshore (Ref. 116102). Long-lived sandpiper; with record of a female breeding at minimum age of 16 years. Completes migratory transoceanic flight across wide areas of Atlantic from northern North America to South America. North from South America, migrates across the Gulf of Mexico generally in spring when wind conditions are favorable; central Yucatan and northern Venezuela as major jumping off points (Ref. 87784).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 01 October 2016 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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