General

White-rumped Sandpiper: Small sandpiper with brown and black scaled upperparts and distinct white rump. Neck and upper breast are white with brown streaks. Streaked head has white eyebrows and dark eyestripes. Thin white stripes on dark wings are visible in flight. Tail is rounded and black. Legs are dark and feet have no webbing. Sexes are similar. Winter adult is grayer and is less streaked on breast.

Range and Habitat

White-rumped Sandpiper: Breeds in northern Alaska and Canadian Arctic. Long-distance migrant, wintering as far south as the outer islands of Antarctica. During migration, found in mudflats, flooded fields, shallow marshes, beaches, and sandbars.

Breeding and Nesting

White-rumped Sandpiper: Three to four brown marked, olive to light green eggs are laid in a ground nest made of lichens, moss, and leaves. Incubation ranges from 21 to 22 days and is carried out by the female. Young fly at 16 to 17 days.

Foraging and Feeding

White-rumped Sandpiper: Feeds on insects, marine worms, mollusks, crustaceans, leaches, seeds, and other vegetation.

Vocalization

White-rumped Sandpiper: High-pitched, squeaky "jeeet."

Similar Species

White-rumped Sandpiper: Baird's Sandpiper wings do not extend beyond tail and lacks white rump.