by J.G. Turner
Photo courtesy of Natures Pics Online
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis maculria, meaning a “dweller on the sea coast” and “spot” for the spots on the under parts during breeding season) is commonly seen in suitable habitats all over Alberta from May through August. It migrates here from its winter home (in the southern United States through to South America) to nest in long grass, under small shrubs or logs along the shores of Canada’s many lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. This is a medium-sized sandpiper (one of twenty-one types of Sandpipers found in Canada) with olive green upper parts, white under parts with bold round black spots (but only during breeding season), white eyebrows, a short barred tail and dull yellow legs. Its bill is ‘dagger’ shaped, dull orange with a dark tip, good for poking into mud for food. Its legs are short and yellowish, its feet ideal for wading in the water’s edge.
It is most frequently seen foraging for food (insects, crustaceans, fish, spiders, worms, snails) along shorelines, gravel bars, and in mudflats, wetlands, pastures and cultivated fields.
Fun Facts:
- Females are the ones who establish and defend territory. She arrives at the breeding grounds earlier than the male and is aggressive towards other females in taking and defending her territory.
- Females may mate with more than one male, leaving the male to care for a clutch of 3-5 eggs. The males are the primary caregivers of the young.
- This bird nods, and teeters up and down, bobbing their tails when on the ground, as if having difficulty balancing. Chicks teeter as soon as they are hatched. The teetering gets worse when the bird is nervous, but stops when the bird is alarmed, aggressive or courting.
- Its flight is rapid, with stuttering or quivering wing beats and glides. They usually make a high whistle sound when taking off and initially fly low over the water with shallow stiff wing beats.
This bird is abundant throughout its range in Canada and North America and is not at risk in terms of its numbers.
If you find an injured or orphaned wild bird or animal, please contact the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403-214-1312 for tips, instructions and advice, or look at the website at www.calgarywildlife.org for more information.
