UKBirds

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

The Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) is a small wader (shorebird).

This species measures 18-23 cm (7.1-9.1 in) long, with a wingspan up to 50 cm (20 in) and a body mass of 31-65 g (1.1-2.3 oz). It is a dumpy wader with a dark green back, greyish head and breast and otherwise white underparts. It is obvious in flight, with wings dark above and below, and a dark rump and tail centre. The latter feature distinguishes it from the slightly larger and broader-winged, but otherwise very similar, Green Sandpiper of Europe and Asia, to which it is closely related. The latter species has a brilliant white rump. In flight, the Solitary Sandpiper has a characteristic three-note whistle. They both have brown wings with little light dots, and a delicate but contrasting neck and chest pattern. In addition, both species nest in trees, unlike most other scolopacids.