Songs
Spotted Sandpipers use a rapid string of about 10 weet calls in the same manner as a song, for courtship and to communicate between pairs.
Calls
When alarmed, Spotted Sandpipers may give a pair of weet notes or, if warning chicks, make a metallic spink. Walking toward the nest, they make a simple pink sound, often three times in a row. The alarm call is similar to the song except rather than a long string of notes, it is in pairs, followed by a brief pause. Spotted Sandpipers also use a courtship song between a mated pair that has a series of soft pips before the standard song. If they are surprised while incubating, they may let out a loud squeal.
Find This Bird
Though you may think of the beach as the best place to see a sandpiper, look for Spotted Sandpipers alone or in pairs along the shores of lakes, rivers, and streams. Once in flight, watch for their stuttering wingbeats, or look for them teetering along rocky banks or logs.