Upland Sandpiper Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesUpland Sandpiper
A tall, skinny sandpiper of grasslands with a thin neck and small head. Speckled brown overall with a short, thin bill.
© Bradley Hacker 🦜 / Macaulay LibraryNebraska, June 11, 2019Slender with a short, thin bill and long neck. Mottled brown above with spotting on flanks and neck. Note big-eyed look.
© Zak Pohlen / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 11, 2020A terrestrial shorebird that often perches on fence posts in grasslands.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 28, 2011Not all videos have sound
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 24, 2017
Often lands on fence posts, raising its wings after landing.
© Marky Mutchler / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 14, 2019In flight the outer flight feather is white, appears as a sliver of white on the upper wing, which can be difficult to see.
© Alex Lamoreaux / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 25, 2016© Damon Haan / Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 29, 2012
Similar SpeciesBuff-breasted Sandpiper
Adult
Buff-breasted Sandpipers are shorter with a smaller and darker bill than Upland Sandpipers. Also note bill color differences; black on Buff-breasted and yellowish on Upland.
© Randy Pinkston / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 17, 2016Similar SpeciesRuff
Female
Ruff have a larger head with a darker bill than Upland Sandpipers. The legs are brighter orange (not yellow) than Upland Sandpipers.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryOromia, December 29, 2014Similar SpeciesRuff
Juvenile
Juvenile Ruffs have a larger head and darker bill than Upland Sandpipers. Juveniles also have a cleaner breast.
© José Frade / Macaulay LibraryLisboa, October 03, 2013Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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