The Least Sandpiper is our smallest shorebird, measuring 6" long and weighing less than half an ounce. It's also one of the most widely distributed, wintering along both coasts, as well as across the southern U.S. and lands well south of the border. In Florida this pair in mostly winter plumage at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs.
The greenish-yellow legs the best field mark. Least SP's are more brownish on the back, compared to the dingy gray on our Western and Semipalmated Sandpiper. Also note the fine bill, which is often slightly drooped. Compare to the longer bill of the Western, and the straight stubby bill of the Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Another from Fred Howard Park showed some rufous appearing on the back and wings:
At the Celery Fields, an inland freshwater marsh east of Sarasota, almost all the Least Sandpipers were showing good color, like this one:
Another helpful tip we learn from from our mentors is that the Least Sanpipers forage in shallow water, and often on the upland substrate not far from the water's edge.
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