Semipalmated Sandpiper captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x
A lot of bird species have elaborate displays to attract a mate. That’s not what this is all about. Nope, not one bit! Working a marsh on the Delaware coast, found this little tidal creek that was just sucking in the shorebirds. They were feasting on the eggs of the Horseshoe Crabs. Semipalmated Sandpipers are smaller than your fist, but they can pack away the food. Besides fueling up to continue their migration north, they are, pigs. Well, they seem to be a bit greedy and defensive, too. That’s what is happening here, one individual defending his small patch of eggs from another. I’ve seen and photographed this once before with Sanderlings, but never heard about it for Semipalmated Sandpipers. Who Knew?
Semipalmated Sandpiper captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x