CreatureData

Ruff vs Sharp-tailed sandpiper

The ruff is heavier: 131.7 g against 66.1 g for the sharp-tailed sandpiper, about 2.0 times the weight.

Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
Ruff LCLeast Concern
Photo: Wald1siedel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sharp-tailed sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)
Sharp-tailed sandpiper VUVulnerable
Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a ruff and a sharp-tailed sandpiper?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The ruff is heavier: 131.7 g against 66.1 g for the sharp-tailed sandpiper, about 2.0 times the weight.
  • Both belong to the genus Calidris, so they are close relatives.
  • The ruff is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; the sharp-tailed sandpiper is Vulnerable.

Side by side

RuffSharp-tailed sandpiper
Scientific nameCalidris pugnaxCalidris acuminata
FamilyScolopacidaeScolopacidae
OrderCharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Weight102 g – 180 g63.5 g – 71.7 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan13.9 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatwetlandwetland
Conservation statusLeast ConcernVulnerable
Countries recordedNot recorded1

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: RuffFull record: Sharp-tailed sandpiperCompare other animals