Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 2481798

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Spotted Sandpipers are small shorebirds that constantly teeter their hindquarters while walking along water edges. Breeding adults have dark spots below, while nonbreeding birds show plain white underparts with a noticeable shoulder mark.

shorebirdteetering gaitwater edge
Spotted Sandpiper reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Blake Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Blake Ross · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • aquatic insects
  • small crustaceans
  • worms
Predators
  • hawks
  • gulls
  • mink
ThreatsShoreline development, contaminated water, recreation near nests, and altered river flow
HabitatsRocky or muddy margins of streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, and sheltered coasts
Life spanOften five years or more, with some banded birds living beyond ten years
Classification
  1. OrderCharadriiformes
  2. FamilyScolopacidae
  3. GenusActitis
  4. SpeciesActitis macularius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Follow shorelines without pressing birds away from feeding or nesting areas.
Responsible observation
  • Watch: The repeated rear-body bobbing is visible even before plumage details.
  • Identify: Check for a white line rising in front of the folded wing.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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