Spotted Sandpiper

The best way of identifying the Spotted Sandpiper is by watching for the peculiar way
it bobs its whole body all of the time. Its flight is also distinctive: it holds its wings
slightly downward and flies with very stiff, short, rapid wingbeats. When disturbed, it
usually gives a short wheat, wheat, wheat call and flies out over the water to land a Iit-
tle farther along the shore. The best places to look for the Spotted Sandpiper are along
the shores Of ponds, lakes and rivers and on grassy beaches.
The Spotted Sandpiper is the most widely distributed of all the wading birds in
Canada. It is most abundant around Vancouver during the breeding season, but it is
present in small numbers over the winter. Its spotted breast is only present on its
breeding plumage; in winter, its breast becomes a dull white.

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