Wood Sandpiper Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

The Wood sandpipers, known scientifically as Tringa glareola, are quite common and travel extensively. Its range stretches from Siberia to Scotland. 

These birds are native to regions such as the Oriental, Palearctic, Australian, and Ethiopian. In winter, they are found across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Occasionally, their migratory paths include the Azores, Barbados, the Faeroes, Iceland, Madeira, Hawaii, and Greenland.

They are considered some of the best migrants of their kind.

How Long Does A Wood Sandpiper Live?

Wood Sandpipers generally live around 9 years, but some can make it to 11 years in the wild. 

Their adult mortality rate is 46%, while their first year mortality rate ranges from 83 to 88%. The longest-lived Wood Sandpiper on record was 11 years and 7 months old. 

With a suitable environment and minimal human interference, they enjoy a relatively long life among small wading birds.

How Fast Can A Wood Sandpiper Fly?

The Wood Sandpiper flies at around 25 to 37 mph (40 – 60 kph) which is 11 to 16.5 metres per second. They can travel between 2397 and 4490 km in a single non-stop flight, showcasing their remarkable long-distance migratory ability. 

These birds have efficient flight patterns that enable them to sustain prolonged journeys. With the capacity to store fuel loads of around 50% of their lean body mass, Wood sandpipers can carry enough energy reserves for such migrations.

Are Wood Sandpipers Aggressive?

Wood sandpipers are known to be quite aggressive and territorial. You will often see them defending their feeding areas against other wood sandpipers with confrontations and showy flights. 

Even during migration, these birds are quick to claim a foraging area and prefer to keep it to themselves. They bob their heads at other shorebirds and sometimes fly at them to ensure their chosen feeding ground stays theirs.

What Is A Wood Sandpiper’s Habitat?

These birds favour pine regions and northern woodlands. When breeding, Wood Sandpipers do well in scrubby and tundra landscapes with little vegetation. Outside of the breeding season, they are more often seen in paddy fields, open marshes, and by streams and lakes. 

In the UK, they mainly migrate through, but a few breed in the Scottish Highlands, favouring freshwater spots like marshes and bogs during migration and breeding.

How Long Does It Take For A Wood Sandpiper To Build A Nest?

After selecting a mate, the pair proceeds to the nesting phase. It takes the Wood Sandpiper 2-3 days for nest scraping displays and an additional 4-6 days for lining and initial egg-laying. Their nests are composed of dry grasses and leaves, featuring a small hollow on the ground. Sometimes, they use old tree nests left by other birds, such as the fieldfare (Turdus pilaris).

Eggs

Let’s take a look at when Wood Sandpipers lay their eggs, how many they lay, what the eggs look like, and how long they take to hatch.

When Do Wood Sandpipers Lay Eggs?

Wood sandpipers are monogamous and territorial birds, with their breeding season taking place between May and mid-July, although they start settling into their breeding areas by late April. During breeding, these birds form solitary pairs.

Once breeding is complete, adult wood sandpipers start to leave the breeding grounds in late June. The female usually departs from the nest to replenish the energy expended during egg production. Meanwhile, the male remains at the nest to guard against predators and look after the chicks rather than migrating.

How Many Eggs Does A Wood Sandpiper Lay?

They often lay four eggs, at times three, and have just one brood. These eggs come from a monogamous pair that stays together throughout the breeding season.

What Do Wood Sandpiper Eggs Look Like?

Wood Sandpipers lay pale green eggs in nests on the ground, with the eggs measuring up to 38 by 26 mm. 

Both the male and female share incubation duties, although the females usually spend more time sitting on the eggs. This type of shared parenting is typical in some bird species.

How Long Do Wood Sandpiper Eggs Take To Hatch?

It takes about 22 to 23 days for the eggs to hatch. Both male and female birds share the job of keeping the eggs warm, though the females do it more often. After hatching, females leave the nest, while the males stay and look after the chicks.

Chicks

Let’s take a look at the lifecycle of Wood Sandpiper chicks, from how many typically hatch, when they open their eyes, and the stages they go through before they fledge.

How Many Chicks Does A Wood Sandpiper Have?

As mentioned, they usually lay four eggs, sometimes three, and have only one brood. The number of chicks a Wood Sandpiper hatches depends on the success of their breeding attempt. 

Thus, the number of chicks a Wood Sandpiper raises successfully can vary due to factors like predators, weather, and food supply.

When Do Wood Sandpiper Chicks Open Their Eyes?

Wood Sandpiper chicks are precocial, which means they are quite mature and able to move around shortly after they hatch. They generally hatch with their eyes open or open them within a day.  

This early awareness is crucial for their survival, as they need to follow their parents to feeding areas and begin looking for food almost immediately. These chicks, covered in down, leave the nest within a few days and start to explore the area around them.

When Do Wood Sandpiper Chicks Fledge?

Wood Sandpiper chicks fledge at around 28 to 31 days old. When they can fly, they are considered independent and can leave the nest when the ground is dry. They usually leave the nest within two days of hatching to explore. 

Both parents care for the chicks initially, but the female typically leaves after a while, leaving the male to continue caring for them until they are fully fledged. They reach full maturity in approximately a year.

SEE ALSO: Wood Sandpiper Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Frequently Asked Questions