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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.

    © Jacob Drucker | Macaulay LibraryHawaii, April 05, 2016
    undefined 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 L. Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, 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 M 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
    Spotted SandpiperSpotted Sandpiper
    Solitary SandpiperSolitary Sandpiper
    Wandering TattlerWandering Tattler
    Greater YellowlegsGreater Yellowlegs
    WilletWillet
    Lesser YellowlegsLesser Yellowlegs

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