Semipalmated Sandpipers - Meet Pamie
 
About me  Names Calidris pusilla Semipalmated Sandpiper Nickname: Pamie Description I’m 6” long and I have an 12” wingspan and weight 3/4 of an ounce. I have a short neck, longest bill and fairly long legs! I have black gray - brown feathers. I’m a “Sand Peep.” Our Photo Albums  Me & My Dad  Meeting my mate  Favorite Foods  Aquatic Insects Shrimp like water animals Marine Worms Mollusks Learn More  /www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i2460id.htmlhttp://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i2460id.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0
 
Its all about me! Hi, I’m Pamie and my toes are webbed, that’s what semipalmated means. Probably the most interesting thing that I can do, is fly nonstop to South America from Canada over the Atlantic Ocean a distance of 1,900 miles during my seasonal migration. We all fly together in large flocks that change direction together, so we resemble an aerial school of fish. I try to almost double my weight in the two weeks before leaving on fall migration. Actually, my cousin Barry ate so much he could barely fly! If we do stop, its along the Delaware Bay area. I however prefer Stone Harbor’s point but, who doesn’t? One of the other exciting things I do is molt or loose all my feathers twice a year. I like to change my feathers to the grayish - brown in the fall and winter and I prefer a slightly brighter breeding plumage come spring. I try to molt gradually, retaining my ability to fly at all times. I have my family in the tundra of Canada, usually 4 chicks. I met my mate when he preformed a courtship ritual, singing a beautiful song and some very fancy aerial maneuvers, he stole my heart! My mate then makes several nests and then I get to select the nest I like the best and then we decorate it together, with leaves and grass. My nest is on the ground and my mate helps with ‘sitting’ duties. My chicks can feed themselves right away and don’t need my mom skills once hatched! Their Dad will will hang out with them until they are ready to migrate with the rest of us. Nice to meet you, Pamie I’m an arctic nester!