Solitary Sandpiper

Clear, high wheets ring out alone and in short runs—several crisp call shapes with the same bright, whistled tone.

Breeds across the boreal north and winters from the southern United States through Central America into much of tropical South America, especially the Amazon basin.

Breeds around boreal bogs, often taking over old songbird nests in trees. During migration and winter, look along quiet ponds, streams, marsh edges, flooded fields, and ditches. Fresh water is the favorite, though migrants occasionally turn up on open mudflats or saltwater edges.

Seen in the United States mainly during spring (Apr–May) and fall (Jul–Oct) migration; a few overwinter in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast.

The Solitary Sandpiper is a medium-sized, dark-backed sandpiper that lives up to its name, usually seen alone as it forages along quiet, vegetated freshwater edges rather than open mudflats. With striking white eye-ring, heavily barred tail, and contrasting dark wings speckled with light spots, it is easily distinguished from most other North American shorebirds.