Shorebirds

Rock Sandpiper

This species is of importance to Alaska because of the restricted distributions of the multiple subspecies that have evolved in the region (Conover 1944). Two forms (Calidris p. ptilocnemis and C. p. couesi) breed and winter almost exclusively in Alaska. A majority of a third (C. p. tschuktschorum) breeds and winters within the region as well. Because the Siberian-breeding members of the latter race apparently stage during fall migration in western Alaska, the state supports the entirety of all three populations during at least some portion of the year (Gill et al. 2002). None of the three populations is large, ranging in size from 20,000 to 75,000 individuals (Brown et al. 2001, Gill et al. 2002). The nominate population breeds only on Bering Sea islands where habitat has been markedly altered by reindeer grazing, especially on the Pribilof Islands (A. Sowls, pers. comm.). Although all three races are listed as populations of high conservation concern in the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (Brown et al. 2001), an inspection of their scores indicates that only the nominate race warrants that designation. Both tschuktschorum and couesi should be considered as populations of moderate conservation concern.

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Last Updated: September 18, 2008