The upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a medium-sized shorebird that is found across the grasslands, prairies, and agricultural lands of North America. While they may not be as well-known or charismatic as other bird species, upland sandpipers play an important role in their prairie ecosystem and provide benefits to humans as well. Understanding why this species matters can help motivate conservation efforts to protect their populations. This article will provide an overview of upland sandpipers, explain their ecological importance, describe their cultural and economic significance, and make the case for why we should care about conserving this prairie bird.
What are upland sandpipers?
Upland sandpipers are slim, long-necked brown shorebirds with yellow legs, a small head, and large eyes. They are slightly larger than a robin, reaching 11-13 inches in length with a wingspan of 23 inches. Their most distinguishing feature is their long tail and wings, which make them appear larger in flight. Other key identification features are the white edges on their tail and wings, prominent white eye rings, a white bar on the upperwing, and white stripes on their head.
The species name “longicauda” references their exceptionally long tail. Upland sandpipers are sometimes referred to as “uplands” or the “shorebird of the prairies.” They got their common name because they are often found far from water on upland prairies and fields, unlike most other sandpiper species that stay closer to the shoreline.
During the breeding season, male upland sandpipers perform elaborate courtship displays, flying high in the sky and then plummeting back to the ground while making a pulsing or whistling sound with their wings and tail. They nest on the ground, building a simple scrape lined with grasses and laying about four speckled, tan-colored eggs. After nesting, uplands gather in large migratory flocks numbering in the hundreds or thousands of birds. They winter in open grassy habitats from the southern U.S. through South America.
Where are they found?
Upland sandpipers range across most of North and South America. Their breeding range stretches across central Alaska and Canada down into the Great Plains and Midwestern states of the U.S. as far east as Michigan and Ohio. Smaller populations breed in the northeastern states as well. Parts of the tallgrass prairies of the Midwest contain the greatest densities of breeding upland sandpipers.
During winter, upland sandpipers migrate south through Central America and into central Argentina and southern Brazil, congregating in grasslands and agricultural areas. They have disappeared as breeders in parts of their former range, especially in northeastern states, as natural grasslands have been converted to farms and forests. But populations remain relatively stable in Midwestern states with ample grassland habitat like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Ecological Importance
Although upland sandpipers are not considered globally threatened or endangered currently, they still play an important role in their prairie ecosystem and their populations should be conserved. Here are some of the key ecological services and benefits that upland sandpipers provide:
Prey for Predators
Upland sandpipers are an important food source for many grassland predators, especially while breeding when the adult birds, eggs, and young are vulnerable. Species like coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, ground squirrels, snakes, falcons, hawks, and owls all prey on adult upland sandpipers, their eggs, or young. Even deer have been observed eating adult uplands. Without this prey source available on the prairies, some predators would lose a vital food supply. Declines in upland populations could contribute to declines in grassland predator diversity and abundance over time.
Influence on Ecosystems
Research on upland sandpipers suggests they likely play a role in shaping grassland ecosystems and vegetation through their grazing, trampling, and manure deposition, although more study is needed. Sandpipers may help maintain landscape heterogeneity and vegetation diversity by preferentially foraging on certain grass species and reducing their dominance. Their digging exposes soil and manure recycles nutrients. One study in Kansas found more forb diversity and density on sites actively used by nesting upland sandpipers. Their long-distance migrations also transport nutrients between summer and winter ecosystems.
Indicator Species
Since upland sandpipers rely on healthy native prairies for breeding, their populations can serve as an indicator of the condition of this imperiled habitat. Declining numbers may signal threats to prairie vegetation and wildlife. Monitoring upland sandpiper populations over time can help identify concerning prairie habitat loss and guide conservation priorities and policies. Protected prairie preserves that support upland sandpipers likely benefit many other grassland-dependent animals too.
Seed Dispersal
Upland sandpipers likely play a minor role in seed dispersal across their breeding and wintering ranges as they forage on seeds of grasses, sedges, and other plants. The birds’ long-distance migrations may occasionally transport seeds or propagules between habitats. This could influence plant distribution and diversity over time.
Cultural Significance
Beyond ecological importance, upland sandpipers also hold meaning for people and signify prairie landscapes. Here are some of the cultural roles and values associated with upland sandpipers:
Aesthetic Value
The handsome patterns and intricate courtship displays of upland sandpipers add to the aesthetic appeal and natural beauty of the prairies where they reside. Their high circling displays during the breeding season stand out. Birders also enjoy observing uplands and appreciate their announcement calls, which are used to establish territories and attract mates. The species contributes visually and acoustically to prairie landscapes.
State and Provincial Symbol
Upland sandpipers’ close association with grasslands has led to their adoption as an official state or provincial bird by areas linking their identity to the prairie ecosystem. Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Alberta have all designated the upland sandpiper as an official state or provincial bird symbol and emblem. This shows their cultural significance in the Great Plains region.
Featured in Arts and Media
Prairie aficionados like writer Aldo Leopold and artist George Miksch Sutton helped popularize upland sandpipers in writing and art. They and other conservationists used uplands to represent the wildness of the disappearing prairies. More recently, this species has been featured by prairie advocacy groups and nature centers as an icon of intact prairies and North American grassland conservation.
Tourism Appeal
Birdwatchers seek out places to view upland sandpipers on breeding grounds like central Wisconsin, Nebraska’s Sandhills, and native North Dakota prairies. Since they are easy to spot and identify compared to many other grassland birds, they can generate tourism interest. Guided tours, festivals, and educational programs focused around uplands help local communities benefit from this natural resource.
Game Species
Historically, upland sandpipers were pursued by subsistence and sport hunters as game birds across parts of their range. Market hunting drastically reduced their populations in the late 1800s before hunting regulations were established. Today, limited upland hunting seasons remain in several states and provinces, generating revenue from license sales and associated economic activity.
Economic importance
In addition to ecological and cultural value, upland sandpipers can provide some direct economic benefits as well:
Insect Control
Upland sandpipers forage on insects like grasshoppers, weevils, beetles, and caterpillars during the breeding season. A study in Oklahoma found that 90% of adult and young upland sandpiper diets were made up of insects. The thousands of grasshoppers alone eaten by a typical upland pair and chicks saves farmers from crop damage. Their insectivory makes them valuable natural pest control allies for agriculture.
Revenue from Hunting
Limited recreational and subsistence hunting of upland sandpipers is permitted in most states under strict regulations on dates and bag limits. Hunters contribute revenue through permit and license fees, and support local economies through travel, lodging, equipment purchases and more. While upland sandpipers remain secure as a game species, continued monitoring is needed given their ecological value and population declines in parts of their range.
Ecosystem Services
It’s challenging to put a specific economic value on the ecological services upland sandpipers provide, like nutrient cycling, vegetation maintenance, and contributions to the food web. But their roles certainly have value in supporting grassland ecosystem health and function, from which humans derive benefits. Preserving upland habitat keeps these services intact and can sometimes reduce the need for costly active land management.
Threats and Conservation Status
Currently, upland sandpiper populations remain relatively robust and they are considered a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. But they face a variety of threats on their breeding and wintering grounds that could put pressure on populations in the future:
Habitat Loss
The greatest threat upland sandpipers face is loss of native prairie habitat, especially to agricultural conversion, reforestation, and development. It’s estimated over 99% of original tallgrass prairie in their core breeding range has been destroyed, leaving fragmented habitat. Further grassland losses could impact upland numbers.
Habitat Degradation
Conversion of prairies to cropland, overgrazing, altered fire regimes, wetland drainage, and spread of invasive grasses degrade the quality of remaining grassland habitat for upland sandpipers. In agricultural areas, earlier mowing of hayfields likely destroys nests and young. Habitat degradation may be as detrimental as outright habitat loss.
Climate Change
Changing precipitation patterns, temperatures, and extreme weather could affect upland breeding and wintering grounds. Wetter conditions may reduce nesting habitat and success. However, drier conditions leading to droughts could benefit uplands. Research on climate change impacts specific to upland sandpipers would help predict future vulnerability.
Mortality and Disturbance
Because uplands nest on the ground, mortality can occur due to mowing, vehicle strikes, and farming operations. Human disturbance, pets, vehicles, and noise may displace nesting birds. Limited hunting mortality occurs but is regulated. Predation losses seem offset by high yearly productivity, but increased predation pressure could become an issue if grassland habitats decline further.
Pesticides
Uplands foraging on pesticide-treated seeds and insects in agricultural grasslands during the non-breeding season show reduced body fat needed for migration. Carryover pesticide effects may even impact breeding success the following year. However, research on exposure levels in upland populations has been limited to date.
Conservation Efforts
Various conservation programs and recommendations aim to protect upland sandpiper populations by conserving prairie habitats and mitigating threats:
Protected Prairie Preserves
Federal, state, and private protected areas like national grasslands and Nature Conservancy preserves conserve intact prairie habitats critical for upland sandpipers. Some preserves also undertake prescribed burns and restorations benefitting uplands. Continued land protection, appropriate management, and enlargement of existing preserves maintains key breeding grounds.
Working Lands Conservation
USDA programs provide financial incentives to ranchers and farmers to take grassland conservation measures on working lands, like preserving wetlands, reducing grazing intensity, restoring native vegetation, or delaying field mowing. These programs can benefit upland sandpipers while keeping lands productive. Specific conservation planning around uplands may optimize benefits.
Population Monitoring
Regular surveys such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey track upland sandpiper population trends over time and help identify concerning declines that may warrant research into causes. More robust datasets are needed for parts of upland wintering grounds in South America. Monitoring hunted sandpipers also ensures harvests remain sustainable.
Protect Migration Stopovers
While upland sandpipers can make long nonstop migratory flights, they also rely on stopover habitats en route for rest and refueling. Protecting grasslands along their migration corridors in the Great Plains, Gulf Coast, and Central America provides crucial migration support areas and allows for inventory of key sites.
Research Needs
Further research into upland sandpiper migratory routes, wintering ecology, pesticide exposure, climate change sensitivity, and prioritizing conservation actions would help guide management plans and policies to maintain populations into the future. Engaging the public through citizen science programs could aid data collection over the uplands’ vast range.
Conclusion
In summary, upland sandpipers exemplify the wildness and diversity of America’s vanishing native prairies. As symbols of the prairie, providers of ecosystem services, and unique components of North American biodiversity, they deserve conservation attention moving forward. Protecting the upland sandpiper ultimately means protecting the prairie ecosystems critical to so much of North America’s natural heritage. But it also can provide economic benefits through sustainable grassland use. With thoughtful grassland conservation policies benefitting upland sandpipers, it’s possible these shorebirds of the prairies could remain a part of our landscapes for generations to come.