Wandering Tattler
Tringa incana
Morphology 2
Short yellow legs and dark grey UpP. Very similar to H. brevipes, but slightly darker, with longer wings, broader, more extensive dark barring on underparts including central central UnT-C, distinctive flight call is rippling trill of ten notes. Female averages larger. Non-breeding adults has plain dark grey UpP, neck, breast and flanks, supercilium only clear above lores. Juvenile as non-breeding adult, but with pale fringes to feather of UpP.
Ecology 3
This tame shorebird breeds above timberline in Alaska, and much is still unknown about its breeding behavior (first nest was discovered in 1922). This species is better known on its coastal wintering grounds, where it was discovered more than two centuries ago. Wandering Tattlers are basically solitary throughout their annual cycle. Associated with mountain streams and gravel bars within their breeding range, they bob and teeter while feeding and probe the water surface for insect prey, especially aquatic invertebrates (Johnsgard 1981). The Wandering Tattler's primary call is a series of clear, rippling whistles, all on one pitch (Gill et al. 2002).
In Alaska, possible predators to adult birds include Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus) and Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus), and arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) are known egg/nestling predators to co-occurring Surfbirds (Aphorize vibrate) (Gill et al. 2002). Observed responses to predators include alarm calls and freezing in one place where coloration makes birds difficult to distinguish from background; young chicks may crouch motionless or flee intruders to the brood vicinity (Gill et al. 2002).
Trophic strategy 4
Eats polychaete worms, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, amphipods, and fish (Gill et al. 2002). During breeding season feeds along edges of rocky, gravelly mountain streams; apparently specializes in capturing larvae of caddisflies and aquatic dipterans (Bent 1929 and Stout 1967 in Johnsgard 1981). May wade into belly-deep water and completely submerge head while foraging. Probes in sand, mud, silt, rocky and arboreal crevices, among detritus, between and beneath submerged rocks, and among sessile invertebrates.
Reproduction 5
Arrival and pairing on northern breeding grounds occurs from mid-May to early June, with males generally preceding females in arrival (Gill et al. 2002). Single clutch laid per season (no evidence of second broods although replacement clutch likely if initial clutch is lost early in incubation), usually 4 eggs laid in late May-early June; incubated by both sexes for 23-25 days (Weeden 1965). Hatching recorded in Alaska from June 24-July 11 (1999); precocial nestlings are tended by both parents (Gill et al. 2002).
Sources and Credits
- (c) Aaron Maizlish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/amaizlish/9275327490/
- Adapted by Yukon Conservation Data Centre from a work by (c) Katerina Tvardikova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31847998
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28897560
- (c) Katerina Tvardikova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31851378
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28897559
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Bird | waders |
|---|---|
| Color | grey, yellow |
| Animal | Bird |
