Upland Sandpiper
NameUpland Sandpiper
Common NameUpland Sandpiper
Scientific NameBartramia longicauda
FamilyScolopacidae
Wingspan (cm)54
Length (cm)30
Weight (g)155
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dark brown with buff scaling and streaking, giving a mottled appearance. The breast and flanks are buffy with dark brown streaking and spotting, transitioning to white on the belly. It has a pale supercilium, a streaked crown, and a relatively short, bicolored bill that is yellowish at the base and dark at the tip. Legs are bright yellow.
Vocalization / CallA distinctive, mournful 'wolf whistle' call, often described as a 'bubbling' or 'gurgling' sound, particularly during flight or display.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeBreeds across the central and northern United States and southern Canada, primarily in tallgrass prairies and hayfields. Winters in South America, mainly in the grasslands of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
Identifying FeaturesLong neck and small head, Large, dark eyes, Bright yellow legs, Short, bicolored bill (yellowish base, dark tip), Mottled brown and buff upperparts, Streaked breast and flanks, Distinctive 'wolf whistle' call
Description
The Upland Sandpiper is a medium-sized shorebird with a long neck, small head, and large eyes, often seen perched on fence posts. Its cryptic plumage provides excellent camouflage in its grassland habitat. It is known for its distinctive 'wolf whistle' call.
