Breeding

Dates of arrival on the breeding grounds depend on snow conditions and spring weather. Adults typically arrive in late May to early June, with the first egg laid around 7–11 days after arrival (42 Tomkovich, P. S. (1995). Breeding biology and breeding success of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 4: 77–91. Close ). Birds begin immediately with displaying activities and territories are occupied. Nesting starts soon after and first nests can be found by 10 June with full clutches by 12­–14 June. Young are hatching from early July (61 Tomkovich, P.S., Syroechkovski Jr, E.E., Lappo, E.G. and Zöckler, C. (2002). First indications of a sharp population decline in the globally threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Bird Conservation International. 12(1): 1–18. Close ) and will stay in the breeding area until mid-August. Single-brooded, but females will lay replacement clutch if the first is lost, usually within six days of the first loss (60 Digby, R., B. Hughes, and N. Jarrett (2013). Headstarting the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Russia, 2013. Avicultural Magazine 119(4):146–159. Close ).

The nest is typically located in crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), lichen, moss or sedge vegetation in a small nest scrape that is lined with small dwarf willow (Salix sp.) or dwarf birch (Betula sp.) leaves and lichens. In northern Chukotka, Russia, nests are loosely clustered over a wide range with distances between them of 79–645 meter (n = 59; median = 258 m) (44 Tomkovich, P.S. (1994). [Spatial structure of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) population at the breeding grounds]. Pp. 130–148 in: [Modern Ornithology 1992]. Nauka, Moscow. (In Russian with English summary.). Close ). Nest sites are selected in dry tundra, often in dense vegetation cover, including sand ridges, marshes, and areas near ponds. The nests are often located near the stems of grasses, sedges (Carex spp.) or dwarf prostrated willows (Salix spp.), providing camouflage (42 Tomkovich, P. S. (1995). Breeding biology and breeding success of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 4: 77–91. Close ). Nests are placed at a distance from sustained water bodies, usually within 40 meters.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, lined with nearby vegetation such as dry dwarf willow leaves that predominate in nests and other materials found in the immediate surroundings. Eggs are typically well in the dry leaves of willows (42 Tomkovich, P. S. (1995). Breeding biology and breeding success of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 4: 77–91. Close ).

Eggs are typically olive brown speckled with dark brown spots. A clutch usually contains four to three eggs. In northern Chukotka, complete clutches consisted on average of 3.81 eggs (n = 89) and the average of replacement clutches was 3.29 eggs (n = 7) (31 Tomkovich, P. S. (1991). Three-year study of breeding Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Asian Wetland News 4:17. Close ).

Both parents incubate the eggs, with females taking the primary role during the evening and night, and males during the day. The incubation period ranges between 21.5 and 23 days, with the majority of eggs hatching in the second week of July (42 Tomkovich, P. S. (1995). Breeding biology and breeding success of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 4: 77–91. Close ).

Information needed.

Newly hatched chicks are covered in brown down mottled with darker spots, typical of Calidris sandpipers, and the underparts are gray-white. Parents are highly protective during the first few days post-hatching, but females often abandon the chicks around 4.5–6 days after hatching, leaving the male to care for the young (62 Tomkovich, P. S. (1998). Mating system and parental care in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 31: 3–6. Close , 41 Syroechkovski, E. (2004). Brief notes on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus Conservation Programme during summer 2004. BirdingASIA 2:68–69. Close ).

Parental care is initially by both sexes, but females often abandon the brood when they are 4.5–6 days old , or immediately after hatching in late broods. Thereafter care is primarily provided by the male until fledging, usually around 15–20 days old (62 Tomkovich, P. S. (1998). Mating system and parental care in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Russian Journal of Ornithology 31: 3–6. Close ). Two cases are known when females stayed with the chicks 13 and 16.5 days, longer than males with those broods (61 Tomkovich, P.S., Syroechkovski Jr, E.E., Lappo, E.G. and Zöckler, C. (2002). First indications of a sharp population decline in the globally threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Bird Conservation International. 12(1): 1–18. Close ). Young feed themselves from an early age but are brooded by the parents (59 Dixon, J. (1918). The nesting grounds and nesting habits of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The Auk 35(4):387–404. Close ).

Adults defend young by flying towards intruders calling, and landing with the wings raised. They perform a distraction display, calling and moving with the neck outstretched and the tail fanned and dragging, or otherwise feigning injury. The young run, or hide among grass and crouch flat, where they are very difficult to detect (21 Portenko, L. A. (1957). Studien an einigen selten Limicolen aus dem nördlichen und östlichen Sibirien. I. Die Löffelschnepfe - Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (L.). Journal of Ornithology. 98(4):454–466. Close ).

Not known.

Not known.

The period to fledging (first short flights) is 16.5–18 days. Freshly fledged young often are still accompanied by one adult bird, mostly the male, who will depart shortly after. The young birds stay in the breeding area until mid-August.

Behavior After Independence

Information needed.