The spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius ) is a small shorebird. Together with its sister species the common sandpiper (A. hypoleucos ), it makes up the genus Actitis. They replace each other geographically; stray birds may settle down with breeders of the other species and hybridize.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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MolluscivoreA molluscivore is a carnivorous animal that specializes in feeding on molluscs such as gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, and cephalopods. Known mo...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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Wading birdsWading birds forage along shorelines and mudflats searching for small aquatic prey crawling or burrowing in the mud and sand. These birds live in w...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Wading birds forage along shorelines and mudflats searching for small aquatic prey crawling or burrowing in the mud and sand. These birds live in w...
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PolyandryPolygyny is a mating system in which one female lives and mates with multiple males but each male only mates with a single female.
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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SolitaryFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withSpotted sandpipers are small shorebirds that occur across North America. Adults have short yellowish legs and an orange bill with a dark tip. Their body is brown on top and white underneath with black spots. 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.
Spotted sandpipers breed across most of Canada and the United States. They migrate to the southern United States, the Caribbean, and South America. During the breeding season, these birds are found near freshwater including, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. On migration and on the wintering grounds Spotted pipers inhabit seashores, beaches, mudflats, mangroves, and lagoons.
Spotted sandpipers are not gregarious birds, and are seldom seen in flocks. They are diurnal spending the day preening, bathing, and foraging. Spotted sandpipers feed on the ground or in shallow water, picking up food by sight. They may also catch insects in flight. As Spotted sandpipes forage, they can be recognized by their constant nodding and teetering. When alarmed the birds produce a 'weet-weet' and 'peet-peet-peet' calls.; they also communicate with soft trills and in flight make a series of 'peet' notes.
Spotted sandpipers are carnivores. They feed on insects, crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small fish.
Spotted sandpipers are polyandrous and during each summer breeding season, females may mate with and lay clutches for more than one male, leaving incubation to them. Females that fail to find additional mates usually help incubate and rear chicks. Spotted sandpipers nest on the ground near the water and hide their nests under shrubs or weeds. The nest is shallow depression lined with grass, moss, or sometimes feathers. The female lays 3-4 eggs per clutch and the male incubates them alone for 20-24 days. The chicks are precocial and are able to walk soon after hatching. They are able to feed themselves and are tended primarily by the male. The young usually fledge 17-21 days after hatching and start to breed when they are about 1 year old.
Although Spotted sandpipers are widespread and common their numbers are declining mainly due to habitat loss, the use of pesticides, and hunting.
According to Partners in Flight resource, the total population size of the Spotted sandpiper is 660,000 breeding individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
Due to their diet habits Spotted sandpipes control populations of their prey items and in turn serve as an important food source for local predators.
