We learned a lot about Spotted Sandpipers as a result of our chance
encounter with an adult caring for a chick on a small island in the middle
of the Metolius River. The Spotted Sandpiper is a well studied species,
and is among a small minority of birds that have reversed sex roles. Males
tend to have higher levels than females of prolactin, a pituitary hormone
known for its promotion of parental care. Which is thought to explain why
this species typically exhibits classic polyandry—a mating system in which
females mate with up to 4 males, each of which cares for a clutch and a
brood.
The text books also tell us this species forages on the ground, mostly in
open habitat, typically close to the shoreline, and that its primary foods
are marine and terrestrial invertebrates, and occasionally small fish. So
we were surprised to find our doting father actively fly catching over open
water - he's actually very good at it!
http://www.jack-n-jill.net/blog/2016/7/spotted-sandpiper-chick---metolius-river
Jack Williamson
West Linn, Oregon
