Spotted sandpiper

The spotted sandpiper is a small, charming shorebird, measuring about 18-20 cm in length. Its scientific name, *Actitis macularius*, is quite fitting. "Actitis" comes from the Ancient Greek word meaning "coast-dweller" while "macularius" is Latin for "spot." This bird, along with the common sandpiper (*A. hypoleucos*), constitutes the genus *Actitis*. Though they inhabit different regions, these two species can occasionally interbreed if one wanders into the other's territory.

The spotted sandpiper breeds near freshwater areas throughout Canada and the United States. During winter, they migrate to the southern U.S. and even as far as South America. They are rarely seen in western Europe and usually prefer solitude over flocking.

Adults are easily identifiable by their short yellow legs, orange bills tipped with dark, and brown upperparts. Their white underparts are adorned with distinctive black spots during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they lose these spots and start to resemble the common sandpiper found in Eurasia.

When it comes to nesting, spotted sandpipers nest on the ground. Fascinatingly, females may mate with several males in a single breeding season, a behavior known as polyandry. Thanks to sperm storage in the female's reproductive tract, males can father chicks from different clutches.

For food, these birds forage on the ground or in water, feeding on insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates. They have a unique flight pattern, flying low over the water with stiff wings, and are famous for their constant nodding and teetering movements while searching for food.