Field
Marks: Usually seen singly. This bird was seen at Hornsby Bend in
Austin, Texas and it was alone. Small shorebird that constantly bobs up and down
while holding its head still. Style of flight is shallow, stiff, buzzy wing
beats, which are unique. Breeding adults white below, thickly peppered with
round blackish spots; olive-brown above, with blackish spots and bars; bark eye
line and white eyebrow; bill orange-pink with dark tip. The wings are brown with
white stripes on both surfaces. The tail is brown with white barred with buff
and brown, and the rest of upper parts faintly tipped with buff.
Voice: Peet-weet!
Where found: N. Alaska, Canada south
to cent. U.S. winters in South America.
Texas: Migrant (Mar - May), July-Oct)
throughout. Winters in s. part of north to Waco, Kernville, Del Rio, and along
coast sparingly east to Galveston. Breeds in panhandle and very locally in n.
Texas.
Habitat: Lake shores, stream sides, beaches.
Nest: A grass-lined depression on ground or under bush. Eggs (4) spotted.