Nature Journal
with Photos

          
Upland Sandpiper Identification Tips
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
 
General Information
- Long-legged, small-headed, long-necked shorebird
  of grasslands
- Legs yellow
- Thin, short bill
- Very large dark eye stands out against pale face
- Black rump and long tail, with dark bars
- Dark outer wing contrasts with brownish inner wing
  in flight
- Often perches on fence posts or stumps
- Sexes similar

Adult
- Dark cap
- Pale head and neck streaked with brown
- Whitish eyering and throat, pale lores
- Brown back and wing coverts with pale edges and
  black bars
- Buff neck and breast and white belly with dark
 chevrons on neck, breast and flanks

Juvenile
- Very pale head without the contrast between the
  cap and face of the adult

Similar species
Buff-breasted Sandpiper has a similar shape, but is much smaller and has a plain buff face and underparts, with spots rather than chevrons on sides of neck and breast, a shorter tail, and bright silvery wing linings.
 
 
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