Solitary Sandpiper
Learn to identify the Solitary Sandpiper by ear. Master the "whip-whip-whip-whip-whip" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
What the Solitary Sandpiper sounds like
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.
“whip-whip-whip-whip-whip”
How to tell it apart
Where you'll hear it
Breeds in boreal muskeg and spruce bogs of the taiga, where it uniquely nests in abandoned songbird nests in trees. On migration and in winter it frequents wooded ponds, narrow streams, marshy edges, rice fields, and flooded ditches—always preferring fresh water with surrounding cover.
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.
Similar species
Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted has bright orange bill with dark tip
Lesser Yellowlegs
Yellowlegs larger, longer brighter yellow legs
Wood Sandpiper (rare)
Wood Sandpiper has white supercilium extending behind eye