Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incana

Wandering Tattler Heteroscelus incana

The genus name Heteroscelus (heh-teh-ROSS-keh-lus) is from the Greek heteros, meaning “other” or “different”, and skelos , for “leg” which alludes to legs of this species beingdifferent from other sandpipers. The tarsus is scutellated instead ofreticulated at the back. “Scutellated” is when the bare skin of the tarsus is ahorny skin cut up into overlapping scales like shingles on a roof. “Reticulated”is when the skin is cut up into polygonal plates. The species name incana (in-CANE-ah) is Latin for gray.Wandering refers to wide distribution of this species. In the winter it isfound along Pacific coastlines from North America to Australia. In summer it goes tohigh mountains in Alaska and northwestern Canada. In Washington it is afairly common migrant on rocky shores, jetties on the outer coast. Best placesto see them include Westport (where the photo wastaken), Ocean Shore jetties and Ediz Hook. They aresolitary birds, not found in flocks.

TheWATA is short-legged, long-winged, with a fairly long bill and yellow legs. Itsbobbing movements and stiff-winged flight, similar to the Spotted Sandpiper,are distinctive. In the summer the WATA is gray above with underparts that havefine dark barring. In winter they are all gray with a whitish belly. In flightthe birds are a plain dark gray above with no markings on the wings or tail.The tattlers forage more actively than other shorebirds of rocky coasts. Theymove quickly over rocks picking crustaceans, marine worms and mollusks fromrocks or mats of algae. They also feed on insects on nesting grounds. Early inthe breeding season, the male displays over the nesting habitat with a highflight while giving a whistled song. The alarm call is a series of clear noteson one pitch, a tattling call like “pew-tu-tu-tu-tu”. The nest site is ashallow depression on the ground among rocks or gravel near a mountain stream.It may be unlined, or  lined with smalltwigs, rootlets and dry leaves. There are usually four eggs, greenish-whitewith dark markings. Incubation is by both parents and takes 23-25 days. Thedowny young leave the nest soon after hatching. Both parents attend the youngfor about 1-2 weeks and then only one adult is present. The young feedthemselves, following the parents along the stream, and they can swim well evenwhen small. The age at first flight is not known.