Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis)

Watch the Buff-breasted Sandpiper single wing flash from the Macaulay Library

Watch the Buff-breasted Sandpiper double wing courting from the Macaulay Library

Description

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a medium-sized bird. It has a short, pointed, black bill, rounded head and it has long yellow legs. It is considered buffy all over and the wings have white undersides. There are small black spots on the crown and back.

Nebraska Habitat

Buff-breasted Sandpiper is most frequently found in corn and soybean fields, but also in grazed pastures and Rainwater Basin wetlands.

Food

The bird's food habits have been poorly studied, but they are known to eat flies, midges, crane flies, and beetles, as well as spiders and seeds from water plants.

Behavior

During their spring migration stopover, Buff-breasted Sandpipers spend most of their time foraging in corn and soybean fields, sometimes following behind farm equipment as fields are being worked and planted.  Wetlands are visited for bathing and drinking.

Compared to other migrating shorebirds, Buff-breasted Sandpipers spend less time foraging and more time in courtship interactions.  The male Buff-breasted Sandpiper will attempt to attract females in two ways: the double wing courting display and the single wing flash. 

Status

U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan Species of High Concern, NatureServe G4 (apparently secure globally), S2 (state imperiled), NBP Priority BCR 19, NNLP Tier 1

Where to see it in Nebraska

Buff-breasted Sandpipers do not breed in Nebraska, but a large proportion of the global population of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper stops over in the eastern Rainwater Basin region in the spring.

Similar Looking Species

• Baird's Sandpiper
• Upland Sandpiper
• American Golden-plover

Fun Facts

• They have been known to travel 18,000 miles in a single year between their wintering grounds in southeastern South America and breeding grounds in the North American Arctic.
• The Buff-breasted Sandpiper runs for cover rather than flying away.
• "Buffies" are a lekking species, which means that the males gather on a lek each breeding season to compete for females with courtship displays.

• Currently researchers are exploring how they spend their time while in Nebraska.

Additional Photos