Spotted Sandpiper

18-20 cm (7-8") Common and widespread. Small lakes, rivers, streams, shores, beaches.

Small, sparrow-sized shorebird. Constantly teeters up and down. Circles out over water on stiff wings. Mostly solitary.

Summer: barred, olive-brown upperparts, dark spots on white underparts; dark eyeline and white eyebrow; orange-pink bill.

Winter: plain grayish above, pure white below; dark bill.

Song: "shrill "pee-weet" call; whistled "wheet" in flight.

Videos

Images

Credit: Greg Schneider

Distribution Maps

Spotted Sandpiper distribution map

Spotted Sandpiper winter distribution map