Solitary sandpipers are medium-sized shorebirds that breed in North America and winter in South America. They are called “solitary” because they are usually seen alone, not in flocks, during migration. Solitary sandpipers have a very large breeding range across Canada and the northern United States. They nest in open boreal forests and forest clearings near water. Their wintering range extends from northern South America to central Argentina and Chile. On both their breeding and wintering grounds, solitary sandpipers inhabit freshwater wetlands, ponds, streams, and flooded fields.
Breeding Range
The solitary sandpiper breeds across Canada and the northern United States. Its breeding range extends from western and central Alaska across northern Canada to Newfoundland. South of the Canada-United States border, it breeds from Washington east to Maine, and south to Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Within this broad breeding range, solitary sandpipers look for freshwater wetlands to build their nests. They prefer ponds, marshes, bogs, wet meadows, river edges, and flooded fields. The presence of shallow water and exposed mudflats for foraging is key. Solitary sandpipers usually nest in open boreal forests, parklands, and clearings, where trees are scattered and the canopy is open. They avoid dense, mature forests. Nests are built on the ground, hidden in vegetation near water.
Key Breeding Range Areas
- Alaska – Central and western regions
- Canada – Northwest Territories, Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Lower 48 States – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
Wintering Range
In the fall, solitary sandpipers leave their breeding grounds in North America and migrate to wintering sites in South America. Their winter range stretches from northern Colombia and Venezuela south to central Argentina and Chile. Key wintering areas include:
- Northern South America – Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, eastern Brazil
- Central South America – Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, northeastern Argentina
- Southern South America – Southern Brazil, Bolivia, central Chile and Argentina
Solitary sandpipers occupy a variety of freshwater wetlands and grasslands in South America. Major habitat types include shallow lakes, ponds, flooded fields, marshes, streams, and riverbanks. Flooded grasslands, known as pampas, are also important wintering areas.
Key Wintering Sites
- Llanos grasslands, Venezuela
- Amazon and Orinoco Basins, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil
- Pantanal wetlands, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay
- Campos grasslands, southern Brazil
- Mar Chiquita salt lake, Argentina
- Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia
Migration Route
Solitary sandpipers undertake a long migration between their breeding and wintering grounds. They travel through Central America or over the Caribbean to reach South America. In spring, they trace a similar route back north through Central America and Mexico into the United States and Canada.
Major stopover sites where solitary sandpipers rest and feed during migration include:
- Central Canada – Prairie provinces, Great Lakes
- United States – Great Plains, Midwest, coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
- Mexico
- Caribbean islands – Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles
- Central America – Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Solitary sandpipers often migrate in small groups of fewer than 5 birds. However, during migration they can concentrate in large numbers at productive wetlands where food is abundant.
Habitat
Solitary sandpipers use a variety of freshwater wetland habitats during their annual cycle. Here are some of their key habitat requirements:
Breeding
- Ponds, marshes, bogs – Shallow water with muddy edges for foraging
- River and lake shores – Exposed mudflats
- Flooded grasslands and agricultural fields
- Open boreal forests and clearings
Wintering
- Shallow lakes and ponds
- Edges of rivers, streams, wetlands
- Flooded grasslands and agricultural fields
- Coastal mudflats and mangrove swamps
Migration
- Coastal wetlands – Estuaries, mudflats, salt marshes
- Inland wetlands – Lakeshores, ponds, flooded fields
- River edges and sandbars
The common thread is shallow fresh water with muddy edges where solitary sandpipers can forage. They also need scattered trees or low vegetation as perches between feeding bouts.
Population and Conservation Status
The solitary sandpiper has an extremely large range and a global population estimated at 1.5 to 3 million birds. Population trends appear stable, so solitary sandpipers are considered a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their adaptable habitat use across a variety of wetland types contributes to their secure status.
However, solitary sandpipers face threats on their migration routes and wintering grounds. Wetland loss in South America is a concern, especially drainage of grasslands and conversion of coastal habitats for development. Solitary sandpipers are also vulnerable to water pollution and contamination from pesticides in agricultural areas.
Population Estimates
- Global population: 1.5 to 3 million
- Continental population estimates:
- Alaska: 100,000 to 1 million
- Canada: 100,000 to 1 million
- Contiguous United States: 250,000 to 500,000
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
- US Fish & Wildlife Service: Non-listed
- CITES: Not listed
Behavior and Ecology
Here are some key facts about the behavior and ecology of solitary sandpipers:
Feeding
- Forage by sight – walking slowly along mudflats and scanning for prey
- Plunge bill into mud or water to catch insects, small fish, crustaceans
- Sometimes catch insects in flight
- Defend feeding territories in winter and on migration
Breeding
- Nest on the ground near water, hidden in marsh vegetation
- Lay 4 eggs in a shallow depression lined with grasses and leaves
- Incubation lasts 21-22 days; chicks can feed themselves immediately
- Chicks fledge at 18-21 days old
Migration
- Long distances, from subarctic breeding areas to southern South America
- Use diverse stopover habitat types
- Capable of nonstop flights over 1,500 mi of open ocean
Wintering
- Defend winter territories centered around foraging sites
- Roost solitarily or in small groups in wet areas or short vegetation
- Depart for spring migration February to mid-April
Identification
Solitary sandpipers have a distinctive appearance. Identifying features include:
- Medium-sized shorebird, about 8-9 inches long with 15-17 inch wingspan
- Brown upperparts with small white spots on back and wings
- White underparts with dusky streaks on breast
- White eye-ring
- Slim yellow-green legs
- Dark bill with yellow base
- Stiff teetering motion when feeding
- Distinctive stiff wingbeats in flight with slowed rhythm
- Call is a sharp “weep” note
In breeding plumage, adults have heavier spotting on the back and more streaking below. Juveniles have a buffy wash on the underparts.
Solitary sandpipers can be confused with spotted sandpipers, which are similarly patterned but smaller with a shorter bill and prominent teetering motion. Greater and lesser yellowlegs are much larger than solitary sandpipers.
Conclusion
In summary, solitary sandpipers are medium-sized shorebirds that breed across Canada and the northern U.S., and winter in South America. They inhabit a variety of wetland types throughout their range, from subarctic bogs to Amazonian streams. Though widespread and not considered globally threatened, solitary sandpipers face localized habitat loss and pollution. Their dependence on transient wetlands, both inland and along coasts, makes them vulnerable as humans alter hydrology and degrade water quality across the Americas. Continued protection and management of wetland stopover habitats will help maintain connectivity across the solitary sandpiper’s continental range.
