Interbreeding in Shorebirds

Angus Wilson wrote:

"Careful scrutiny of shorebirds around the world suggests that hybridization between Charadriiformes is not quite as exceptional as it was once thought. Here is a listing of know or well justified hybrid combinations. I'd appreciate hearing about other combinations or appropriate articles."

Then, we have produced the next list, based first on Dennis Paulson (pp. 10-12, see below) and secondly on the list presented by Angus Wilson himself, who also provided the comments and references within the entries:

1. Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) x American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Wilson wrote:

"Some times referred to as an 'Avistilt' or 'Stavocet', this is a fairly regular combination."

- Principe W. L., Jr. (1977) A hybrid American Avocet x Black-necked Stilt. Condor 79: 128–129.

2. White Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) x Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis)

3. Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) x Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis)

4. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) x Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani)

"A relatively common occurrence on the Pacific Coast".

- Jehl, J. R., Jr. (1985) Hybridization and evolution of oystercatchers on the Pacific Coast of Baja California. Neotropical Ornithology, A.O.U. Monograph 36: 484-504.

5. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) x Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)

6. White Rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) x Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotus)

7. Little Stint (Calidris minuta) x Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)
- Jonsson, L. (1996) Mystery stint at Groote Keeten: first known hybrid between Little and Temminck’s Stint? Dutch Birding 18:24-28.

8. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) x White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis).
- McLaughlin K. A. , and A. Wormington (2000) An apparent Dunlin x White-rumped Sandpiper hybrid. Ontario Birds 18(1):8-12.

Also see last link.

9. Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) x Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus).

10. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) x Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotus) = "Cox's Sandpiper" ("Calidris paramelanotos")

For this entry, Angus Wilson wrote and documented:

"First described from Australia in 1982. Genetic evidence established that Cox's Sandpiper is not a distinct species, but is a hybrid between Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)."

- Christidis, L., K. Davies, M. Westerman, P. D. Christian, and R. Schodde. (1996) Molecular assessment of the taxonomic status of Cox's Sandpiper. Condor 98: 459-463.

11. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) x Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) = "Cooper's Sandpiper" ("Calidris cooperi")

A. Wilson wrote that this one

"was described by Baird in 1858 based on a specimen collected on Long Island, New York, U.S.A. in May 1833. A similar bird was collected in Stockton, New South Wales, Australia, in Mar 1981. Evidence suggests this is a Curlew Sandpiper x Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. ferruginea x C. acuminata)."

- Cox, J. B. (1990a) The enigmatic Cooper's and Cox's Sandpiper. Dutch Birding 12: 53-64.
- Cox, J. B. (1990b) The measurements of Cooper's Sandpiper and the occurrence of a similar bird in Australia. South Austral. Orn. 30: 169-181.

12. New Zealand Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) x Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus).
- Pierce, R. J. (1984) Plumage, morphology and hybridisation of New Zealand Stilts Himantopus spp. Notornis 31: 106–130

Main References:

- Paulson, D. Shorebirds of North America. The Photographic Guide. Princeton Univ. Press. 2005, 361 p.

- Angus Wilson. Mystery Calidris Sandpiper from Florida. Appendix: Known Shorebird Hybrid Combinations. 2005.