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Wandering Tattler Identification

Wandering Tattler Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Medium-sized shorebird with a long bill, and short thick yellow legs. Breeding birds are gray above and barred gray and white below. Bobs its tail up and down.

© Jeff Maw | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 16, 2017
Wandering Tattler Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Constantly bobs its tail up and down. Walks along rocky shorelines where its gray back and chest blend in with the rocks.

© Brian SullivanCalifornia, April 19, 2008
Wandering Tattler Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Forages on rocky or sandy substrates, often within the intertidal zone, for small marine invertebrates, insects, and fish. Frequently bobs its tail up and down while walking.

© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 27, 2009
Wandering Tattler Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

In flight, entirely gray above.

© Mat Gilfedder | Macaulay LibraryNew South Wales, April 05, 2016
Wandering Tattler Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Medium-sized shorebird with a long bill and thick legs. Typically walks with a horizontal posture while bobbing its tail. Nonbreeding birds are gray above with an unmarked gray chest. Note yellow legs.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 26, 2014
Wandering Tattler Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Breeding adults have a heavily barred gray belly and a white line in front of their eye.

© Aaron Marshall | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2009
Wandering Tattler Breeding adults with Black Turnstones
Breeding adults with Black Turnstones

Larger and longer than Black Turnstones. Yellow legs and barred belly are diagnostic.

© Ivan Dubinsky | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 17, 2016
Wandering Tattler Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Forages along rocky shorelines where it blends in with the rocks.

© Bruce Wedderburn | Macaulay LibraryNorfolk Island, April 04, 2011
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Adult Description

  • Medium-sized shorebird.
  • Short, thick yellow legs.
  • Moderately long, straight bill.
  • Gray all over.
  • Belly white.
  • Short white eyestripe.
  • Constantly bobs its tail and rear end up and down as it walks.
  • Entire underside heavily barred in breeding plumage.
  • Plain gray wings and tail.

Immature Description

Similar to nonbreeding adult, but gray breast and flanks faintly smudged and barred, and back feathers with some whitish tips.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 10.2-11.8 in (26-30 cm)
    • Weight: 2.1-6.0 oz (60-169 g)
    • Wingspan: 19.7-21.6 in (50-55 cm)

Species in This Family

Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Scolopacidae)

Upland SandpiperUpland Sandpiper
WhimbrelWhimbrel
Long-billed CurlewLong-billed Curlew
Hudsonian GodwitHudsonian Godwit
Marbled GodwitMarbled Godwit
Ruddy TurnstoneRuddy Turnstone
Black TurnstoneBlack Turnstone
Red KnotRed Knot
SurfbirdSurfbird
Stilt SandpiperStilt Sandpiper
SanderlingSanderling
DunlinDunlin
Rock SandpiperRock Sandpiper
Purple SandpiperPurple Sandpiper
Baird's SandpiperBaird's Sandpiper
Least SandpiperLeast Sandpiper
White-rumped SandpiperWhite-rumped Sandpiper
Buff-breasted SandpiperBuff-breasted Sandpiper
Pectoral SandpiperPectoral Sandpiper
Semipalmated SandpiperSemipalmated Sandpiper
Western SandpiperWestern Sandpiper
Short-billed DowitcherShort-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed DowitcherLong-billed Dowitcher
American WoodcockAmerican Woodcock
Wilson's SnipeWilson's Snipe
Wilson's PhalaropeWilson's Phalarope
Red-necked PhalaropeRed-necked Phalarope
Red PhalaropeRed Phalarope
Spotted SandpiperSpotted Sandpiper
Solitary SandpiperSolitary Sandpiper
Wandering TattlerWandering Tattler
Greater YellowlegsGreater Yellowlegs
WilletWillet
Lesser YellowlegsLesser Yellowlegs

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