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Scolopacidae - Snipes, Sandpipers, Dowitchers

There are 97 species in this family of birds. They are usually found on shorelines and in wetlands around the world, although there are some species, like the upland sandpiper, that live in grasslands.

They have rounded heads, medium to long legs, and medium to long pointed bills.

Most species eat small invertebrates from the ground or water using their sharp bills. Most are brown, gray, and white.

Their young are precocial and leave the nest and feed themselves shortly after birth.

  • The spotted sandpiper breeds across most of Canada and the United States, including New Hampshire. It winters along the the Pacific Coast in the west. In the east, it winters along the Atlantic Coast of the southern United States south to South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spotted Sandpiper
    (Actitis macularius)
    The spotted sandpiper breeds across most of Canada and the United States, including New Hampshire. It winters along the the Pacific Coast in the west. In the east, it winters along the Atlantic Coast of the southern United States south to South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The ruddy turnstone breeds along the coastline from western Alaska east to Greenland. The ruddy turnstone also breeds in arctic regions of Europe and Asia. It winters along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts from Oregon and Connecticut south to South America. It also winters on the Gulf Coast. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Ruddy Turnstone
    (Arenaria interpres)
    The ruddy turnstone breeds along the coastline from western Alaska east to Greenland. The ruddy turnstone also breeds in arctic regions of Europe and Asia. It winters along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts from Oregon and Connecticut south to South America. It also winters on the Gulf Coast. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The black turnstone breeds along the coastline of Alaska. In the winter, the black turnstone is found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Turnstone
    (Arenaria melanocephala)
    The black turnstone breeds along the coastline of Alaska. In the winter, the black turnstone is found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The upland sandpiper breeds from Alaska east to New Brunswick, Canada and south to northeastern Oregon, Oklahoma, and Virginia. It winters on the pampas (prairie) of southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. The upland sandpiper can be found at the Pease airfield in Portsmouth and Newington. It is an endangered species in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Upland Sandpiper
    (Bartramia longicauda)
    The upland sandpiper breeds from Alaska east to New Brunswick, Canada and south to northeastern Oregon, Oklahoma, and Virginia. It winters on the pampas (prairie) of southern South America from Brazil to Argentina. The upland sandpiper can be found at the Pease airfield in Portsmouth and Newington. It is an endangered species in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sharp-tailed sandpiper breeds on the Siberian tundra and winters in Australia and New Zealand. Migrating birds appear in Alaska and in small numbers along the West Coast in the fall and, less often, inland and on the East Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulerable
    Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper
    (Calidris acuminata)
    The sharp-tailed sandpiper breeds on the Siberian tundra and winters in Australia and New Zealand. Migrating birds appear in Alaska and in small numbers along the West Coast in the fall and, less often, inland and on the East Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulerable
  • The sanderling breeds on the high arctic tundra of Alaska and northern Canada. It winters along the coast from British Columbia and Massachusetts south to South America. It is also found in Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sanderling
    (Calidris alba)
    The sanderling breeds on the high arctic tundra of Alaska and northern Canada. It winters along the coast from British Columbia and Massachusetts south to South America. It is also found in Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dunlin breeds from western and northern Alaska east to the Hudson Bay. It winters along the coast from southern Alaska and Massachusetts south to Mexico. It is also found in northern Europe and Asia. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dunlin
    (Calidris alpina)
    The dunlin breeds from western and northern Alaska east to the Hudson Bay. It winters along the coast from southern Alaska and Massachusetts south to Mexico. It is also found in northern Europe and Asia. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Baird's sandpiper breeds in the arctic regions of Alaska and Canada. It migrates through the Great Plains and winters in South America. In the fall, small numbers of Baird's sandpipers can be found on the Atlantic Coast, including in New Hampshire. It is also found in Iceland, Greenland and Siberia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Baird's Sandpiper
    (Calidris bairdii)
    Baird's sandpiper breeds in the arctic regions of Alaska and Canada. It migrates through the Great Plains and winters in South America. In the fall, small numbers of Baird's sandpipers can be found on the Atlantic Coast, including in New Hampshire. It is also found in Iceland, Greenland and Siberia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red knot breeds on islands in northern Canada and Alaska. It winters along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from California and Massachusetts south to South America. The red knot is also found in Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Red Knot
    (Calidris canutus)
    The red knot breeds on islands in northern Canada and Alaska. It winters along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from California and Massachusetts south to South America. The red knot is also found in Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), a subspecies of the red knot, is found in the eastern U.S. It suffered a major population decline in the 2000s and is now a threatened species in the U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
    Rufa Red Knot
    (Calidris canutus rufa)
    The rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), a subspecies of the red knot, is found in the eastern U.S. It suffered a major population decline in the 2000s and is now a threatened species in the U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
  • The white-rumped sandpiper breeds across extreme northern Alaska and Canada. It migrates through eastern and central Canada and the eastern and central United States. It winters in extreme southern South America. It can be found in ew Jampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Rumped Sandpiper
    (Calidris fuscicollis)
    The white-rumped sandpiper breeds across extreme northern Alaska and Canada. It migrates through eastern and central Canada and the eastern and central United States. It winters in extreme southern South America. It can be found in ew Jampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western sandpiper breeds in western Alaska and winters along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Peru, along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey south to South America, and along the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Sandpiper
    (Calidris mauri)
    The western sandpiper breeds in western Alaska and winters along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Peru, along the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey south to South America, and along the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pectoral sandpiper breeds in the Arctic regions of North America from Alaska east to the Hudson Bay. It migrates along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the interior United States. It winters in South America. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pectoral Sandpiper
    (Calidris melanotos)
    The pectoral sandpiper breeds in the Arctic regions of North America from Alaska east to the Hudson Bay. It migrates along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the interior United States. It winters in South America. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The least sandpiper breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland, Canada. It winters along the Pacific Coast from California south to South America and on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey south to South America. It is also found in inland areas in the Southeast and the Southwest. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Least Sandpiper
    (Calidris minutilla)
    The least sandpiper breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland, Canada. It winters along the Pacific Coast from California south to South America and on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey south to South America. It is also found in inland areas in the Southeast and the Southwest. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The semipalmated sandpiper breeds in northern Alaska and Canada south to the Hudson Bay. It migrates through the eastern and central states and winters in South America and the Caribbean. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Semipalmated Sandpiper
    (Calidris pusilla)
    The semipalmated sandpiper breeds in northern Alaska and Canada south to the Hudson Bay. It migrates through the eastern and central states and winters in South America and the Caribbean. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The rock sandpiper breeds in western Alaska. It winters along the southern Alaska coast south to northern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Sandpiper
    (Calidris ptilocnemis)
    The rock sandpiper breeds in western Alaska. It winters along the southern Alaska coast south to northern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common snipe breeds from Alaska to Newfoundland south to the mid-United States. It winters north from northern South America to British Columbia , the northern Gulf states and Virginia. It is also found in Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Snipe
    (Gallinago gallinago)
    The common snipe breeds from Alaska to Newfoundland south to the mid-United States. It winters north from northern South America to British Columbia , the northern Gulf states and Virginia. It is also found in Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The long-billed dowitcher breeds in western Alaska and northwestern Canada. It winters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from Washington and Virginia south to Mexico. It can be seen in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Long-Billed Dowitcher
    (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
    The long-billed dowitcher breeds in western Alaska and northwestern Canada. It winters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from Washington and Virginia south to Mexico. It can be seen in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The marbled godwit breeds in the Central Plains region of North America from central Alberta through central Manitoba and along St. James Bay south through Montana, North Dakota, east central South Dakota, and north central Nebraska, and east to north central Minnesota. It winters along the Pacific coast from California south, from Virginia south, and along the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Marbled Godwit
    (Limosa fedoa)
    The marbled godwit breeds in the Central Plains region of North America from central Alberta through central Manitoba and along St. James Bay south through Montana, North Dakota, east central South Dakota, and north central Nebraska, and east to north central Minnesota. It winters along the Pacific coast from California south, from Virginia south, and along the Gulf Coast. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The bar-tailed godwit breeds in northwestern Alaska and northern Europe and Asia. The bar-tailed godwit is a long-distance migrator. It winters in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is occasionally seen on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Bar-Tailed Godwit
    (Limosa lapponica)
    The bar-tailed godwit breeds in northwestern Alaska and northern Europe and Asia. The bar-tailed godwit is a long-distance migrator. It winters in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is occasionally seen on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The long-billed curlew breeds from southern Canada to northern California, Utah, northern New Mexico, and Texas. The long-billed curlew is a neo-tropical migrator. It winters in Mexico and Central America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Long-Billed Curlew
    (Numenius americanus)
    The long-billed curlew breeds from southern Canada to northern California, Utah, northern New Mexico, and Texas. The long-billed curlew is a neo-tropical migrator. It winters in Mexico and Central America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The whimbrel breeds on the tundra in Alaska and Canada east to the Hudson Bay. It migrates south along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and winters on the southern coasts of the United States south to South America. The whimbrel is also found in Eurasia. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concer
    Whimbrel
    (Numenius phaeopus)
    The whimbrel breeds on the tundra in Alaska and Canada east to the Hudson Bay. It migrates south along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and winters on the southern coasts of the United States south to South America. The whimbrel is also found in Eurasia. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concer
  • The bristle-thighed curlew breeds in western Alaska. It winters in Hawaii and other South Pacific Islands including Samoa, Micronesia, Fiji, and French Polynesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Bristle-Thighed Curlew
    (Numenius tahitiensis)
    The bristle-thighed curlew breeds in western Alaska. It winters in Hawaii and other South Pacific Islands including Samoa, Micronesia, Fiji, and French Polynesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The red phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of Alaska and northern Canada. It migrates off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Severe storms can sometimes bring them inland. It winters at sea in flocks off the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts south to South America. The red phalarope can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Phalarope
    (Phalaropus fulicaria)
    The red phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of Alaska and northern Canada. It migrates off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Severe storms can sometimes bring them inland. It winters at sea in flocks off the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts south to South America. The red phalarope can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-necked phalarope breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It migrates off of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It winters at sea in flocks off the coast of South America. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Necked Phalarope
    (Phalaropus lobatus)
    The red-necked phalarope breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It migrates off of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It winters at sea in flocks off the coast of South America. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The American woodcock is found from southeastern Manitoba, Canada east to Newfoundland, Canada and south to Texas and Florida. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Woodcock
    (Scolopax minor)
    The American woodcock is found from southeastern Manitoba, Canada east to Newfoundland, Canada and south to Texas and Florida. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Wilson's phalarope breeds across central and western North America. In the United States they are found from California east to Minnesota. Wilson's phalarope winters in South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Wilson's Phalarope
    (Steganopus tricolor)
    Wilson's phalarope breeds across central and western North America. In the United States they are found from California east to Minnesota. Wilson's phalarope winters in South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lesser yellowlegs breeds across Alaska and northern Canada eastward to western Quebec and it winters in the southern United States southward to southern South America and northward along the coasts to southern central California and New Jersey. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Lesser Yellowlegs
    (Tringa flavipes)
    The lesser yellowlegs breeds across Alaska and northern Canada eastward to western Quebec and it winters in the southern United States southward to southern South America and northward along the coasts to southern central California and New Jersey. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The greater yellowlegs breeds from south-central Alaska east to Newfoundland. It winters on the Pacific coast from Washington south, on the Atlantic coast from Virginia south, and along the Gulf Coast. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration, IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Greater Yellowlegs
    (Tringa melanoleuca)
    The greater yellowlegs breeds from south-central Alaska east to Newfoundland. It winters on the Pacific coast from Washington south, on the Atlantic coast from Virginia south, and along the Gulf Coast. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration, IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The willet breeds from central Canada to northeastern California and Nevada and along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts south from Nova Scotia. It winters along the Pacific Coast from Oregon south and along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina southward to northern South America. It can be found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Willet
    (Tringa semipalmata)
    The willet breeds from central Canada to northeastern California and Nevada and along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts south from Nova Scotia. It winters along the Pacific Coast from Oregon south and along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina southward to northern South America. It can be found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The solitary sandpiper breeds across Alaska and Canada. It migrates along the Atlantic Coast and the interior of the United States. It winters from southern Texas south to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The solitary sandpiper is truly solitary - it migrates alone, not in flocks. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration, IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Solitary Sandpiper
    (Tringa solitaria)
    The solitary sandpiper breeds across Alaska and Canada. It migrates along the Atlantic Coast and the interior of the United States. It winters from southern Texas south to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The solitary sandpiper is truly solitary - it migrates alone, not in flocks. It can be found in New Hampshire during migration, IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

Sharp-tailed sandpiper
The sharp-tailed sandpiper is one of the species in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

American Woodcock - Scolopax minorLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Baird's Sandpiper - Calidris bairdiiLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaAsia
Buff-Breasted Sandpiper - Tryngites subruficollisNear ThreatenedNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaAsia
Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinagoLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsiaAfrica
Dunlin - Calidris alpinaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsiaAfrica
Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleucaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutillaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipesLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Long-Billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaAsia
Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Pectoral Sandpiper - Calidris melanotosLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsiaAustralia/Oceania
Red Knot - Calidris canutusNear ThreatenedThreatened in USNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsiaAfricaAustralia/Oceania
Red Phalarope - Phalaropus fulicariusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaAsiaAfrica
Red-Necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsia
Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpresLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsiaAfricaAustralia/Oceania
Sanderling - Calidris albaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaAsiaAfricaAustralia/Oceania
Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusillaNear ThreatenedNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Solitary Sandpiper - Tringa solitariaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis maculariusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia longicaudaLeast ConcernEndangered in NHNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauriLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAsiaAfricaAustralia/Oceania
White-Rumped Sandpiper - Calidris fuscicollisLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Willet - Tringa semipalmataLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Wilson's Phalarope - Phalaropus tricolorLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

Bar-Tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponicaLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsiaAustralia/Oceania
Black Turnstone - Arenaria melanocephalaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Bristle-Thighed Curlew - Numenius tahitiensisNear ThreatenedNorth/Central AmericaAsia
Long-Billed Curlew - Numenius americanusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Rock Sandpiper - Calidris ptilocnemisLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaAsia
Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper - Calidris acuminataVulnerableNorth/Central AmericaAsiaAustralia/Oceania

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