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A photo of a Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

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. Adults have short yellowish legs and an orange bill with a dark tip. The body is brown on top and white underneath with black spots. These spots vary in degree over the course of spotted sandpipers' lives, becoming especially prevalent around the breeding season. The overall health of spotted sandpipers may be suggested by the "spottiness" of an individual. Generally, females with more "spottiness" were healthier than those who did not have as many spots. The condition of males based on the amount of spots they exhibit is yet to be determined. Additionally, spot size gets smaller and the spot shape becomes more irregularly shaped as age increases. Spotted sandpipers also feature a white supercilium. 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 Actitis species have a distinctive stiff-winged flight low over the water. They also have a distinctive walk in which their tails bob up and down.
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Spotted Sandpipers on Birda

Photos

Sightings

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Profile picture for Paul Pedersen
Paul Pedersen
Thursday 01 Jun 2023 - 10:54pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🐧
Margaret Gazdacka
Wednesday 31 May 2023 - 7:34pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Alex Wight
Alex Wight
Tuesday 30 May 2023 - 3:05am
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦆
Kat Straight
Monday 29 May 2023 - 6:30pm
United States
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