The solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) is a small shorebird. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific solitaria is Latin for "solitary" from solus, "alone".
Description
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 (T. ochropus) 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.
Distribution and habitat
It breeds in woodlands across Alaska and Canada. It is a migratory bird, wintering in Central and South America, especially in the Amazon River basin, and the Caribbean. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe in summer and fall.
The solitary sandpiper is split into two subspecies:
T. s. cinnamomea, (Brewster, 1890): breeds in Alaska & western Canada
T. s. solitaria, (Wilson, 1813): breeds from eastern British Columbia to Labrador
Hunting behaviour
Foraging on a mud-flat
Video of feeding behavior
Subspecies
The solitary sandpiper is split into two subspecies:
T. s. cinnamomea, (Brewster, 1890): breeds in Alaska & western Canada
T. s. solitaria, (Wilson, 1813): breeds from eastern British Columbia to Labrador
Hunting behaviour
Foraging on a mud-flat
Video of feeding...
