Taxonomy/Description

Spotted Sandpipers are in the Order Charadriiformes which consists of gulls, terns, alcids and sandpipers. They are in the Family Scolopacidae which groups them together with other waders. Spotted Sandpipers are fairly small shorebirds, being that they are 7.5 inches (19cm) in size.  They have a dark eyeline with a brown head, hindneck, back and upperwings. They have a white neck and belly with bold brown spots. They have an orange bill with a black tip. Both males and females look similar.

Habitat/Diet

Spotted Sandpipers are the most widespread breeding Sandpiper in North America. They go from east to west across North America and north-south from the southern edge of the Artic to the southern edge of the United States. They furthest south they breed is the middle of California and the furthest north they winter is New Mexico.

The preferred habitat of the Spotted Sandpiper is alone the shorelines of ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, streams and coastlines. They eat mostly flying insects as well as worms, fish and carrion.

Behavior/Reproduction

Spotted Sandpipers are usually sing alone as they constantly bob and teeter. They also have a distinctive, stiff-winged flight pattern. Spotted Sandpipers are polyandrous which means that the female has more than one male partner. Usually there are 1-3 brood per season with about 4 eggs per brood. Males defend the territory and incubate the eggs for 20-24 days. The young are precocial when hatched which means they are downy, mobile, able to find parents and food. Both sexes tend young until they fledge which occurs about 17-21 days after hatching.

Where to see them in WNY

Good places to see Spotted Sandpipers in Western New York would be alone the shorelines of the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Lake  Erie.