Annually, Buff-breasted Sandpiper –Tryngites subruficollis and American Golden Plover – Pluvialis dominica
undertake some of the longest journeys of any migratory birds in the world,
from their breeding grounds in the tundra of North America (Canada and Alaska)
to wintering sites in the grasslands of Southern South
America. Aves Uruguay [ BirdLife in Uruguay] and partners have
secured approximately 3000 hectares for both species of shorebirds through good
management practices of the natural grasslands.
Both species have
suffered significant population declines due to habitat loss on their migration
and wintering grounds and through hunting (in the Caribbean, and historically
in North and South America). Their primary
wintering grounds are the Southern Cone or Pampas grasslands of South America and
Laguna de Rocha in Uruguay
is one of the few sites globally where they can be found in large numbers on a
regular basis. Consequently, Laguna de Rocha has been identified as an IBA for both species. Importantly, the
lagoon and surrounding grasslands have recently been declared Protected
Landscape within the new National Protected Areas System.
Buff-breasted
Sandpiper
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper –Tryngites subruficollis – breeds in the open arctic tundra of North
America and is a very long-distance migrant, spending the non-breeding season
mainly in South America, especially Argentina. It migrates mainly
through central North America, and is uncommon
on the coasts. It occurs as a regular wanderer to Western
Europe. Outside the breeding season, this bird is normally found
on short-grass habitats such as airfields or golf-courses, rather than near
water. It is sometimes referred to as a "grasspiper," because of its
preference for grassy areas over the coastal mudflats favored by most
shorebirds.
Description
This small, attractive bird has a
long, straight bill and greenish-yellow legs. The sexes are alike in
colouration. They both have a pale brown body elegantly spotted with black. The
crown has fine streaks of black which extend down the hind neck and over the
back to the tail, giving the appearance of overlapping black scales on the
upperparts. The sides of the head and body are paler brown with less
conspicuous black markings, fading to cream on the throat and breast. Juveniles
are slightly paler overall
Call
Usually silent in flight, but
occasionally utters a low soft “gerk” on rising. A strange clicking sound. This
is the call of a male Buff-breasted Sandpiper courting a female on their
breeding grounds far north of the Arctic Circle.
He raises his wings, flashing their silvery-white undersides, as he sings his
clicking serenade.
Food
Buff-breasted sandpipers feed on
earthworms, aquatic insects and larvae, and seeds. They forage in small flocks
of up to 15 birds.
Breeding
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is
unique among North American shorebirds in having a lek mating system. Males
defend relatively small territories that provide no resources for females and
are simply display sites to which females can be attracted. Females select a
mate and then leave to nest and raise their chicks elsewhere. They breed in
dry, grassy tundra and nest on the ground, laying 2 to 5 eggs. The chicks leave
the nest less than 12 hours after hatching in order to feed themselves.
Conservation Status – Near Threatened
Population declined from millions
to near extinction by 1920s largely due to hunting. Numbers appeared to
increase, but may be declining again. The modern threats are not understood but
it has been suggested that habitat change at the breeding sites has prevented
adequate reproductive rates. It appears to rely on intensive grazing by
livestock, but previously grazed pampas is being converted to agricultural
land. It may also be susceptible to the agricultural pesticides used in the
regions passed through on migration. Conservation action for the buff-breasted
sandpiper is in the early stages, with work being done to preserve grassland
habitats.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventuresto create a custom tour for you to see these threatened shorebirds.