Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
The underparts are white and are heavilly spotted with black. Juveniles have unspotted underparts. |
Size |
7″ to 8″ in length 15″ wingspan |
Voice |
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Similar Species |
Habitat |
Shores of lakes, ponds, and streams, especially rocky shores; marshes. |
Ecology |
Migration |
Mid-April to mid-May and mid-August to October |
Nesting |
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Food |
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Distribution |
Occurrence |
Common migrant and breeder |
Maps |
The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
Taxonomy |
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Class |
Aves (birds) |
Order |
Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies) |
Family |
Scolopacidae (sandpipers and allies) |
Genus |
Actitis (common and spotted sandpipers) |
In 2004 the name was changed from Actitis macularia to Actitis macularius “to cause gender agreement of specific with generic names.” |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Some authors recognize two subspecies but the differences are minimal and this is not generally accepted. |
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Synonyms |
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Actitis macularia Tringa macularia |
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Visitor Photos |
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Carmie Mick |
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found the nest and 2 chicks. |
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Lynn Rubey |
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A breeding Spotted Sandpiper In The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle county. |
A breeding Spotted Sandpiper in flight. |
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A breeding Spotted Sandpiper foraging for food along a rocky path in the West Pool area. |
A breeding Spotted Sandpiper foraging for food along the rocky path in the West Pool area. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
Spotted Sandpiper |
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Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) |
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Spotted Sandpiper |
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Spotted Sandpiper |
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Visitor Videos |
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Dan W. Andree |
HD Spotted Sandpiper (adult & a baby one) |
About
The Spotted Sandpiper is known to constantly teeter as it walks along. I came across this adult while out along a pond and unexpected seen one of its young just suddenly lie down in hopes not to get noticed. One other little sandpiper ran into cover out of sight. I stopped briefly to film the baby spotted sandpiper and then left the pond. |
Other Videos |
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Spotted Sandpiper |
About
Published on Jun 17, 2013 Spotted Sandpiper - Squamish River Estuary - June 17, 2013 - Make sure you watch the video at the highest resolution by clicking on the little gear symbol in the lower right hand corner of the video and choosing 720p |
spotted sandpiper |
About
Uploaded on Jul 22, 2009 at Wabasso Lake, Jasper NP |
Como Lake, Coquitlam - Spotted Sandpiper |
About
Uploaded on Oct 26, 2011 Spotted Sandpiper at Como Lake, Coquitlam, BC |
Spotted Sandpiper (Scolopacidae: Actitis macularia) Juvenile |
About
Uploaded on Jun 23, 2009 Photographed at the Rydell NWR, Minnesota (23 June 2009). |
Spotted Sandpiper (Duluth Waterfront) |
About
Published on Jul 8, 2016 |
Visitor Sightings |
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Carmie Mick |
Location: Ash River Trail Lagoon, St. Louis County found the nest and 2 chicks. |
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| Deidra Wright 5/22/2022 |
Location: Duluth Minnesota pretty sure that's what it was!! |
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| Lynn Rubey 5/18/2020 |
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge A breeding Spotted Sandpiper foraging for food along a rocky path in the West Pool area. |
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| Lynn Rubey 5/15/2020 |
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge A breeding Spotted Sandpiper foraging for food along a rocky path in the West Pool area. |
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| Lynn Rubey 5/5/2020 |
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge A breeding Spotted Sandpiper In The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle county. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 3/1/2017 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |