IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

18th October, 2023 Environment

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Context

  • The Buff-breasted Sandpiper, sighted only a few times in Asia, has triggered a bird festival at Madayipara.

Details

About

  • The buff-breasted sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) is a small shorebird.

Description

  • This species is brown above and has a buff face and underparts in all plumages. It has a short bill and yellow legs.
  • Males are larger than females. Juveniles resemble the adults but may be paler on the rear underparts.

Distribution and Habitat

  • subruficollis breeds in the open arctic tundra of North America and is a very long-distance migrant, spending the non-breeding season mainly in South America, especially Argentina 

Nature

  • It migrates mainly through central North America and is uncommon on the coasts.
  • It occurs as a regular wanderer in Western Europe and is not classed as rare in Great Britain or Ireland, where small flocks have occurred.

IUCN Red List Status

  • It is considered near threatened on the IUCN Red List.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1.    Buff-breasted sandpiper is considered Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

2.    It breeds in the open arctic tundra of North America and is a very long-distance migrant.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) All

D) None

Answer: A) Only 1

Statement 1 is incorrect.