Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

263. Actitis macularia. 8 inches.

This is one of the most abundant of all the shore birds, covering the whole United States. Its note, “peet-weet,” is a familiar sound to every bird observer. It has a peculiar habit of continually moving its tail up and down when at rest or when running along the shore, which has given it the name of “Teeter-tail” or “Tip-up.”