Solitary Sandpiper Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSolitary Sandpiper
Breeding adult
Medium-sized slender shorebird with a prominent eyering. Small white spots mark the back.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, April 25, 2020Nonbreeding/immature
Medium-sized shorebird with a prominent white eyering. Nonbreeding birds look similar to breeding birds, but have smaller spots on the back.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 03, 2009Breeding adult
Forages along edges of shallow wetlands, muddy fields, and small ponds. Note neat spots on back and strong white eyering.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew YorkNot all videos have sound
Nonbreeding/immature
In flight note dark stripe down the center of the tail and barred outer tail feathers. Also note dark underwings (not visible in photo).
© Ethan Denton / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, August 07, 2020Breeding adult
Generally found alone or in small numbers on freshwater ponds and flooded fields. Note prominent eyering and white spotting on back.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 17, 2015Breeding adult
Nods head while walking. Note complete white eyering.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 27, 2013Juvenile
When lands often holds its wings straight up before slowly bringing them back down.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, September 09, 2014Juvenile
During migration and winter found along freshwater ponds, stream edges, temporary pools, flooded ditches, and fields, more commonly in wooded regions, less frequently on mudflats and open marshes.
© Marc St. Onge / Macaulay LibraryOntario, August 22, 2009Similar SpeciesLesser Yellowlegs
Breeding adult
Lesser Yellowlegs have longer, brighter yellow legs than Solitary Sandpipers.
© Brendan Klick / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 29, 2017Similar SpeciesLesser Yellowlegs
Nonbreeding adult
Lesser Yellowlegs are taller than Solitary Sandpipers. Their backs are mottled while the backs of Solitary Sandpipers are more spotted.
© Fernando Farias / Macaulay LibraryParaná, April 01, 2017Similar SpeciesGreater Yellowlegs
Breeding adult
Greater Yellowlegs are bigger with longer and brighter yellow legs than Solitary Sandpipers. Breeding birds have barred flanks while Solitary Sandpipers have unmarked flanks.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 11, 2017Similar SpeciesGreater Yellowlegs
Juvenile
Greater Yellowlegs are bigger with longer and brighter yellow legs than Solitary Sandpipers.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, October 18, 2014Similar SpeciesStilt Sandpiper
Nonbreeding adult
Stilt Sandpipers have a longer, more drooping bill than Solitary Sandpipers. They also have a pale eyebrow while Solitary Sandpipers have an eyering.
© Christian Fernandez / Macaulay LibraryTexas, October 14, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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