Erolia minutilla, commonly known as the least sandpiper, is a small species of migratory shorebird belonging to the family Scolopacidae. It is widely distributed across North and South America, exhibiting a breeding range in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia, while its wintering grounds span the coasts of North, Central, and South America.
The least sandpiper measures approximately 13 to 15 centimeters in length, making it the smallest sandpiper species in North America. It has a relatively short and slender bill, dark legs, and brownish-grey plumage with pale underparts. During breeding season, the adult males develop a distinctive rufous or rusty-red coloration on their upperparts, while the females tend to have more subdued plumage.
In terms of habitat, the least sandpiper is commonly found in wetlands, mudflats, and shallow freshwater or saline marshes. It primarily feeds on small invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, which it forages for by probing the mud or sand with its bill. Its migratory behavior is notable, as it undergoes long-distance journeys between its breeding and wintering grounds, often traveling thousands of kilometers.
Due to its widespread distribution, the least sandpiper is considered a species of least concern in terms of conservation status. However, like many other shorebirds, it faces various threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve its breeding and wintering habitats to ensure the long-term survival of this small, yet important, species.
