Tringa incana
The Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) is a medium-sized shorebird, measuring approximately 26 cm (10 in) in length with a wingspan of about 55 cm (21.5 in) and weighing 80-170 grams. Its plumage is a striking slate-grey on the upperparts, contrasting with white underparts. During the breeding season, its breast, flanks, and vent are finely barred with dark grey, which becomes plainer and unbarred in its non-breeding winter plumage. Key field marks include its bright yellow-orange legs, a mode...
Breeding occurs in arctic and subarctic regions along rocky stream valleys and open tundra. During winter, it exclusively inhabits exposed rocky coastlines, coral reefs, and tide-swept intertidal zones.
The diet consists primarily of marine invertebrates such as crabs, amphipods, mollusks, and marine worms on wintering grounds, supplemented by insects like fly larvae and beetles during the breeding season.
Wandering Tattlers are diurnal, primarily active during low tide when they can access foraging grounds. Their foraging strategy involves actively walking, probing in rock crevices, and snatching marine invertebrates from surfaces, often accompanied by their characteristic head-bobbing. On breedin...
The Wandering Tattler has a vast, largely circumpolar breeding range across northwestern North America and northeastern Siberia. It breeds primarily in mountainous and coastal regions of Alaska, Yukon Territory, and British Columbia, extending west into the Chukotka Peninsula of Russia. Following...
Least Concern
- The species name 'Tattler' comes from its loud, distinctive, rapid whistling call, which sounds like it's 'tattling'. - Wandering Tattlers undertake one of the longest shorebird migrations, traveling from the Arctic Circle to the South Pacific and back each year. - Their continuous head-bobbing...