Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)

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**Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) – A Detailed Study**

The Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) is a fascinating shorebird known for its extensive migratory range and distinct morphological features. This species belongs to the Scolopacidae family and is observed across various parts of the world, including occasional sightings in the Sundarban region. Below is a comprehensive analysis of this bird, including its taxonomy, morphology, habitat, behavior, and presence in the Sundarban ecosystem.

1. Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris
Species: C. melanotos

The Pectoral Sandpiper was first scientifically described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. It was previously classified under the genus Tringa but later reassigned to Calidris based on morphological and genetic studies.

2. Morphology & Identification

Physical Description

The Pectoral Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird, measuring 19–24 cm in length with a wingspan of 39–44 cm.
It has a distinctly streaked brown upper body and a white underbelly.
The most characteristic feature is the sharp demarcation between the streaked breast and white lower belly, which gives it the name “Pectoral.”
The bill is medium-sized, slightly decurved, and yellowish at the base with a darker tip.
Legs are yellowish-green, distinguishing it from some other Calidris species.
In flight, it displays a dark rump and a narrow white wing stripe, helping with identification in the wild.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males are generally larger than females and have an inflatable throat sac, which is used during courtship displays.

3. Habitat & Distribution

Global Distribution

The Pectoral Sandpiper is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the Arctic tundra of North America and northeastern Siberia.

During migration, it travels to South America, Australia, and parts of Asia for the winter.
It can be found in wetlands, mudflats, marshes, and coastal areas where it forages for food.

Habitat Preferences

Prefers shallow freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and coastal estuaries.
During migration, it is frequently seen in agricultural fields, flooded grasslands, and brackish wetlands.

4. Behavior & Ecology

Feeding Habits

The Pectoral Sandpiper is an opportunistic feeder, mainly foraging in muddy or wet areas.
Its diet consists of insects, small crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and aquatic invertebrates.
It uses a probing technique, pushing its bill into soft mud to detect prey.

Breeding & Nesting

Breeds in tundra regions from June to August.
Males engage in elaborate courtship displays, inflating their throat sacs and producing low hooting sounds to attract females.
Nests are built in shallow depressions on the ground, lined with grass and moss.
Females lay 3–4 eggs, and incubation lasts about 21–23 days.

Migration

One of the longest-distance migratory shorebirds, traveling from the Arctic to South America.
Some vagrants have been recorded in Europe, India, and even Australia.

5. Special Features & Adaptations

Unique Breast Marking: The sharp contrast between the streaked upper breast and white belly helps in identification.
Throat Sac in Males: Used for courtship, a rare feature among shorebirds.
Extreme Migration: Travels up to 15,000 km, showing remarkable endurance.
Flexible Feeding Habits: Can adapt to different food sources in diverse habitats.

6. Presence in the Sundarban

The Sundarban is a vast mangrove ecosystem shared between India and Bangladesh, known for its rich biodiversity and vital bird habitats. While the Pectoral Sandpiper is not a common species in the Sundarban, it is occasionally recorded during migratory seasons.

Sundarban Sightings

Migratory shorebirds frequently use the mudflats and intertidal zones of the Sundarban as stopover points.
The Pectoral Sandpiper has been recorded sporadically in regions near brackish water marshes and estuarine zones.
The species’ presence in the Sundarban is mainly during post-monsoon and winter (September to March) when migratory birds visit India.

Potential Threats in the Sundarban

Habitat Loss: Coastal erosion, deforestation, and rising sea levels affect the mudflat ecosystems.
Pollution: Oil spills, plastic waste, and industrial pollution can impact feeding grounds.
Climate Change: Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns might disrupt migration routes.

Conservation Status

The Pectoral Sandpiper is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to its large population.
However, habitat degradation in critical stopover sites, including the Sundarban, could impact future populations.

7. Conclusion

The Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) is a remarkable migratory shorebird with unique adaptations and a vast global range. Though not a regular resident of the Sundarban, it is occasionally sighted in the region’s mudflats and estuarine zones during migration. Conservation efforts to protect wetland habitats in the Sundarban are crucial for ensuring the survival of such migratory species.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Medium-sized sandpiper with a distinct pectoral band separating the breast and belly.
✅ Breeds in the Arctic and migrates thousands of kilometers to South America.
✅ Occasionally recorded in the Sundarban, mostly during post-monsoon and winter months.
✅ Habitat protection in coastal wetlands is vital for maintaining healthy populations.

The Sundarban remains an important stopover point for migratory shorebirds, and further research is needed to monitor the presence and conservation needs of birds like the Pectoral Sandpiper.

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