Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animation
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animationIllustrates where Buff-breasted Sandpipers were tracked using Argos Wildlife Tracking
Tracking Data for Buff-Breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis)
Active
By Alaska Science Center
January 12, 2026
Available here are tracking data of buff-breasted sandpiper, a shorebird species that breeds only in Arctic Alaska and Canada, spending the winter in the grasslands of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina after a lengthy migration. These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tracking Maps
These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Shorebirds Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos GPS Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from GPS satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data include location data estimated by GPS and the Argos System (Doppler). They have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0 or Speed_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1 or Speed_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter” or “Location_Speed_Filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 5MB zip]
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 10MB zip]
- README
- View ScienceBase Data Release
Suggested Citation
Tibbitts, T.L., Lanctot, R.B., Douglas, D.C., 2023, Tracking data for Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) (ver 1.0, October 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9TYMUID
Below are other science products associated with Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Shorebird Research
With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds...
Below are multimedia items associated with Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animation
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animation
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animationIllustrates where Buff-breasted Sandpipers were tracked using Argos Wildlife Tracking
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chickShorebird nests and broods were monitored daily as part of a long-term study to determine reproductive success of multiple species. The tundra habitat around Pt. Storkersen supports a diversity of shorebird and waterfowl species.
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chickShorebird nests and broods were monitored daily as part of a long-term study to determine reproductive success of multiple species. The tundra habitat around Pt. Storkersen supports a diversity of shorebird and waterfowl species.
Available here are tracking data of buff-breasted sandpiper, a shorebird species that breeds only in Arctic Alaska and Canada, spending the winter in the grasslands of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina after a lengthy migration. These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tracking Maps
These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Shorebirds Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos GPS Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from GPS satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data include location data estimated by GPS and the Argos System (Doppler). They have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0 or Speed_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1 or Speed_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter” or “Location_Speed_Filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 5MB zip]
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 10MB zip]
- README
- View ScienceBase Data Release
Suggested Citation
Tibbitts, T.L., Lanctot, R.B., Douglas, D.C., 2023, Tracking data for Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) (ver 1.0, October 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9TYMUID
Below are other science products associated with Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Shorebird Research
With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds...
Below are multimedia items associated with Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animation
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animationIllustrates where Buff-breasted Sandpipers were tracked using Argos Wildlife Tracking
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animation
Argos Wildlife Tracking Buff-breasted Sandpipers animationIllustrates where Buff-breasted Sandpipers were tracked using Argos Wildlife Tracking
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpiper with transmitter
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Texas turf farms
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, Alaska
Banded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen, AlaskaBanded Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick at Point Storkersen on the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. This was one of many study site locations of waterbird-oriented ecosystem studies in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska from 1974-1992.
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chickShorebird nests and broods were monitored daily as part of a long-term study to determine reproductive success of multiple species. The tundra habitat around Pt. Storkersen supports a diversity of shorebird and waterfowl species.
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chick
Scientist examining the body condition of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper chickShorebird nests and broods were monitored daily as part of a long-term study to determine reproductive success of multiple species. The tundra habitat around Pt. Storkersen supports a diversity of shorebird and waterfowl species.