Upland Sandpiper (UPSA)
Bartramia longicauda
Range
The Upland Sandpiper primarily breeds in a range that stretches from southern Canada to the central United States, encompassing the areas from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountain region.
Additional Maps
Identification
The Upland Sandpiper is characterized by its long legs, slender neck, small dove-like head with large eyes, and a yellow bill with a black tip. It has a long tail and wings, with the tail being proportionately the longest among sandpipers. Its upper parts display marbled golden brown and blackish patterns, while the underparts are white with dark streaks and chevron-shaped markings on the breast and sides. Juvenile Upland Sandpipers resemble adults but lack the distinct dark crown on the head, and feathers on their upperparts have prominent pale margins and dark subterminal bars, which are absent in adults. Females are slightly bigger than males.
The Upland Sandpiper adopts a unique wing posture when perching or landing, holding wings erect before folding. During the breeding season, males perch on fence posts and engage in graceful circular song flights over their territory. They migrate in groups during the night, and after their eggs hatch, family groups can be observed foraging together.
Displaying males sing a distinctive long mellow “wolf whistle” call, often heard at night. The sandpiper also emits a rapid fluttering series of tu or pip notes, commonly heard during flight or in contact with others.
Habitat
The Upland Sandpiper primarily nests in grasslands, with a preference for native prairies in the Great Plains. However, they also utilize other habitats for nesting, including pastures (both grazed and ungrazed), agricultural fields (especially fallow fields), and even road edges. These grassland habitats are characterized by minimal woody vegetation and bare ground. In eastern North America, they can be found in habitats such as blueberry barrens, peatlands, and airports. During migration, they frequent airfields, agricultural fields, and pastures, but they can also be found at beaches or ballfields, especially during unfavorable weather conditions.
Conservation Status
- Listed as Increasing by American Bird Conservancy
- Listed as Least Concern by BirdLife International
- Listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Listed as Secure by Nature Serve Explorer
Status by State
- Listed as Bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the 2015-2025 Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan (pg 44)
- Listed as Threatened in New York State by New York Natural Heritage Concern
- Listed as a High Priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Fish and Wildlife Species of New York State
- Listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the 2015-2025 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan (pg 173)
- Listed as High Priority by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife (pg 59)
Threats to Conservation
The Upland Sandpiper faces several threats to its conservation due to the loss of habitat to agriculture, including the use of pesticides and farming practices that leave less residual crop. The initial conversion of land for crop cultivation and the plowing of grasslands have had a significant negative impact. Furthermore, habitat alteration caused by urban development, invasive species, and changes in vegetation structure further diminishes suitable nesting areas. Disturbance to pastures and hayfields and extensive row-cropping are additional factors contributing to population declines.
Other threats include wildfires that destroy habitat and prevent its recovery, as well as spring heat waves that endanger the young birds in the nest.
Funding Opportunities
- Ag Allies Grassland Collaborative
- America the Beautiful Challenge
- Conservation Nation Grant Program
- Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Small Grant Program
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program
- Natural Areas Research Grant
- Natural Legacy Program
- Nature Works
- Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant
- New York State Grant Partnerships with the Land Trust Alliance
- Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund
- Northeast Wilderness Trust
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- The Bobolink Project
- The Migratory Bird Program
- Tribal Wildlife Grants
- Wildlife Habitat Grant Program
- USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund
General Management Guides
Regional Management Guides
- Birds of Nebraska
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Kansas Wildlife Action Plan
- Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Missouri State Wildlife Action Plan
- Nature Serve Explorer
- North Dakota Fish and Wildlife Services
- North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Oklahoma City Audubon Society
- South Dakota Species Highlight
- South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wisconsin State Wildlife Action Plan
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Species Overview