Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)

Identification & Behavior: ~20 cm (8 in). The Solitary  Sandpiper in basic plumage is mostly gray with a pale belly and greenish legs. The alternate plumage is darker with more accentuated specks and barring. It is very similar to the Lesser Yellowlegs but is distinguished by smaller size and by having a well-defined pale eye ring and greenish legs. It generally forages alone and seldom joins foraging flocks of other shorebirds. Also, see Spotted Sandpiper.

Status: The Solitary Sandpiper is an uncommon to rare Boreal Migrant found in a number of habitats and elevations throughout Peru. It is common during the months of September through April and rare throughout the rest of the year as some birds overwinter in South America. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Playero Solitario.

Sub-species: Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria cinnamomea), Brewster 1890.
(T. s. solitaria), A. Wilson, 1813.

Meaning of Name: Tringa: Gr. A white wagging tail bird mentioned by Aristotle without being completely identified, but taken by later authors as a torch or wagtail. solitaria: L. solus= lonely, solitary.

See more of the Family Scolopacidae