Wandering Tattler

Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,060 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Wandering Tattler: observations by month (U.S.)

About Wandering Tattler

The wandering tattler (Tringa incana) (formerly Heteroscelus incanus: Pereira & Baker, 2005; Banks et al., 2006), is a medium-sized wading bird. It is similar in appearance to the closely related gray-tailed tattler, T. brevipes. The tattlers are unique among the species of Tringa for having unpatterned, greyish wings and backs, and a scaly breast pattern extending more or less onto the belly in breeding plumage, in which both also have a rather prominent supercilium.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Wandering Tattler by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)

WilletTringa semipalmata

SanderlingCalidris alba

Least SandpiperCalidris minutilla

Spotted SandpiperActitis macularius

Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleuca

Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpres

Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoa

Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ