Together with its sister species the common sandpiper (A. hypoleucos), it makes up the genus Actitis. Andy Stoddart is Vice Chairman of the British Birds Rarities Committee and a member of the BOU Records Committee. The bill is often prominently pale at the base. Spotted Sandpip… Spotted Sandpip… Previous; 4 of 4 ; Next; Spotted Sandpiper in flight. Common Spotted And Terek Sandpipers Photo Id Guide, This article was originally published in the July 2019 issue of. When, as rarely happens, the spotted sandpiper rises to some height to make a considerable aerial passage (especially over a stretch of marsh) the flight becomes regular, like that of a miniature yellowlegs, or swift and darting, as it sometimes is with a white-rumped sandpiper for instance. The body is brown on top and white underneath with black spots. It breeds throughout North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and winters in the southernmost United States and Central and South America. As they forage, they can be recognized by their constant nodding and teetering. Tringa macularia Linnaeus, 1766 Further features include the lack of a projecting tail and, just visible here, some dark markings in the scapulars hinting at the dark scapular 'braces' which are more apparent in some individuals (Neil Bowman). Spotted Sandpiper: This medium-sized sandpiper has olive-brown upperparts, white underparts with bold black spots, white eyebrow, barred tail and dull yellow legs. [4], Non-breeding birds, depicted below, do not have the spotted underparts, and are very similar to the common sandpiper of Eurasia; the main difference is the more washed-out wing pattern visible in flight and the normally light yellow legs and feet of the spotted sandpiper. The prominent underparts spots readily identify this bird, but note also that the white wing-bar does not reach the body. Juvenile Common Sandpiper (Seaforth, Lancashire, 8 August 2006). Feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as midges and mayflies. The prominent underparts spots readily identify this bird, but note also that the white wing-bar does not reach the body. A still, bright day with light Northerly winds. Records peak in spring and autumn, but there are a good number of summer records too and it is also not infrequent in winter. However, juveniles have stronger barring across the wing coverts and the fringes to the tertials are plainer, with just a dark subterminal mark and a pale tip. This is a classic portrait of a Common Sandpiper. These are not so well marked on juveniles or winter adults. As it walks on the shores of streams, ponds, and marshes, it bobs the rear half of its body up and down in an odd teetering motion. At first glance this Terek Sandpiper resembles a Common Sandpiper, but the pale grey upperparts, bright yellow legs and, most obviously, the long and upturned, two-toned bill should all catch the eye, as should the rather abrupt forehead profile and high, rounded crown. Adult summer Common Sandpiper (Austria, 30 May 2012). In flight, the white wing-bar extends across the full width of the secondaries, reaching the body. Other useful features include the rather bright yellow legs and a slightly stronger face pattern with a well-marked whitish supercilium (Brian E Small / www.agami.nl). Note also the rather dull-looking legs, almost wholly dark bill and bland, diffuse face pattern (Harvey van Diek / www.agami.nl). Unlike many Nearctic waders, there is a long history of inland occurrences, and this is a species which could be encountered almost anywhere. Just like Common Snipe and Common Redshank, this species will readily perch on posts on breeding grounds (Oliver Smart). [3] Male parents of first clutches may father chicks in later male's clutches, probably due to sperm storage within female reproductive tracts, which is common in birds. Like its Palearctic cousin, it breeds along rivers and lakes and frequents more coastal habitat on passage and in winter. When startled, it skims away low over the water, with rapid bursts of shallow wingbeats and short, stiff-winged glides. In flight, it appears very like Common Sandpiper but the wing-bar is shorter and narrower across the secondaries and does not reach the body. Its basically brown-and-white plumage closely resembles that of summer- and winter-plumaged adults. Males and females exhibit similar physical measurements, but differ in weight; females tend to be about 20-25% heavier than males. The call is a rapid fluty wit wit wit wit. This flying Common Sandpiper shows the typical long-tailed and bowed-winged appearance, although the characteristic 'flicking' flight cannot be captured in a single image. All Rights Reserved. In flight there is a broad whitish trailing edge to the wing (similar to but more diffuse than that on a Common Redshank) combined with a grey rump and tail. In flight, Spotted Sandpipers have a … [6] The search for mates amongst female spotted sandpipers is much more competitive than finding potential mates is for males. Its feeding action is quite striking too, with frequent short runs and much sweeping of the bill through the water in the manner of an Avocet. The dark 'shoulder' is also well shown here (Ralph Martin / www.agami.nl). The condition of males based on the amount of spots they exhibit is yet to be determined. These three closely related shorebirds are very similar in size, structure and plumage. Lamba Ness hosted a flock of c30 Lapland Buntings and a Single Snow Bunting. They also have a distinctive walk in which their tails bob up and down. Additionally, the gradual increase in temperatures poses a problem for newborn sandpipers. The basic plumage tones are the same as well, although summer adults acquire the highly distinctive thrush-like scatter of dark spots across the underparts from which the species gets its name. The overall health of spotted sandpipers may be suggested by the "spottiness" of an individual. Spotted sandpipers are a philopatric species. This bird resembles a Common Sandpiper, but the pattern of subterminal barring in the upperparts is most striking on the wing coverts which form a noticeably more barred patch. This trio of 'bobbing' sandpipers forms a distinctive group within the wader family. Most occur in spring, but it can arrive in summer and autumn too, and has also wintered. Winter-plumaged Terek Sandpipers closely resemble those in summer – note the grey-and-white appearance, bright yellow legs, steep forehead, high, rounded crown and striking long, upturned, two-toned bill. Remarkably, a pair laid four eggs on Skye, Highland, in 1975, but sadly, the attempt was unsuccessful. Actitis macularia flying. Birds like this are pretty unmistakable! The body is brown on top and white underneath with black spots. Breeding birds have spots on the underparts. We use cookies to improve your experience of this website by remembering your usage preferences, collecting statistics, and targeting relevant content. However, note also the slightly stronger face pattern and more prominent pale in the bill base (Ray Tipper). The spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius) is a small shorebird, 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) long. The distinctive structure – note the long tail – and typical low, crouching posture readily identify this bird as a Common Sandpiper. The overall impression at range is of a brown-and-white bird with prominent breast-side patches and a white 'V' between these and the 'shoulder', but a close view like this reveals a surprisingly intricate and attractive pattern of dark marks in the upperparts feathers (Ralph Martin / www.agami.nl). Adult Common Sandpiper (Sohar, Sultanate of Oman, March 2006). * Bird News Pro and Bird News Ultimate subscribers receive full sighting details. Low direct flight; wings flap in shallow arcs, producing clipped, stiff wing beats on drooping wings. Spotted Sandpipers nest on the ground. Further features include brighter yellow legs and a stronger face pattern (Mike Danzenbaker / www.agami.nl). The females usually arrive at breeding grounds before the males do and establish their territories. [3] Their breeding habitat is near fresh water across most of Canada and the United States. Note the long, oval body, small head, short legs and, perhaps most striking of all, the long tail which projects well beyond the tips of the primaries. Winter Spotted Sandpiper (California, United States, 26 February 2015). These spots vary in degree over the course of spotted sandpipers' lives, becoming especially prevalent around the breeding season. Successful breeding sites may be used repeatedly until either the site becomes physically unsuitable (from overgrown vegetation or flooding) or predation becomes too severe. These are not gregarious birds, and are seldom seen in flocks. Adult summer Common Sandpiper (Skye, Highland, 10 May 2008). [7] Additionally, mated females have testosterone concentrations that are 7 times higher than those of unmated females. However, closer examination reveals a neat and regular pattern of dark brown and pale cream subterminal barring with a characteristic 'dogtooth' pattern along the outer edges of the tertials. The basic size, structure and habits resemble Common Sandpiper, but it has a rather steep forehead and – its most distinctive feature – a clearly upturned bill. With its grey-and-white plumage, steep forehead, high, rounded crown, bright yellow legs, long, upturned, two-toned bill and dark 'shoulder', this young Terek Sandpiper looks effectively the same as summer- and winter-plumaged adults. Also visible are the typically rather dark bill and legs (Markus Varesvuo / www.birdphoto.fi). The rump and tail are concolorous with the upperparts, with just some brown and white barring visible in the tail sides, but the most obvious feature is the prominent narrow white wing-bar which reaches the body. Juveniles and winter adults closely resemble Common Sandpiper. It has a highly distinctive structure, though, comprising a small head on a large, oval body, a short neck, medium-length bill, long tail projecting well beyond the wing-tips and relatively short legs. The species normally draws attention to itself by its call – a loud, high-pitched ringing swee wee wee. Walking toward the nest, they make a simple pink sound, often three times in a row. The call is a disyllabic peet-weet, less shrill than that of Common Sandpiper. Adult winter Terek Sandpiper (Oman, 14 November 2014). Wings have white stripes visible in flight. The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) is a small shorebird, 18-20 cm long. Sometimes, the face pattern can be a little stronger than Common Sandpiper. Have you seen something interesting? It is rare to sight more than a single bird or, at most, a single family. This winter-plumaged Spotted Sandpiper looks similar to the Common Sandpiper in the previous image, but the shorter tail is particularly apparent here. The distinctive structure of Common Sandpiper is shown well here. Their ranges rarely overlap. Their close resemblance combined with the unfamiliarity of the second two can cause identification conundrums. I’d decided to abandon the car and Dave H dropped me at Skaw first thing as I intended to do the northern sites on foot. 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