High in the Costa Rican mountains, where the emerald embrace of the rainforest gives way to open pastures and golden grasslands, you might encounter a fascinating avian visitor – the Upland Sandpiper. Unlike its shorebird cousins who grace the coastlines, this enigmatic bird thrives in the heart of the country’s dry season havens.
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The Upland Sandpiper, with its scientific name Bartramia longicauda, is a true anomaly. While classified as a sandpiper, its preferred habitat is far from mudflats and sandy beaches. Often mistaken for a curlew due to its slender build and long neck, this bird boasts a unique charm that will leave you enthralled if you’re lucky enough to spot it.
A Master of Camouflage:
Imagine a bird clad in a mottled brown cloak, perfectly blending with the dry grasses. That’s the Upland Sandpiper! Its speckled body and understated markings make it a master of disguise. Add to this its preference for staying low to the ground, and you have a bird that can vanish before your very eyes.
But don’t despair, eagle-eyed birders! There are ways to increase your chances of spotting this elusive creature.
Listen for the Whistle of the Wind:
The Upland Sandpiper’s most distinctive feature might not be visual. This bird possesses a hauntingly beautiful call, often described as a “wolf whistle.” It’s a long, rising whistle followed by a second, wavering note. This ethereal melody, sometimes delivered in flight, can pierce the stillness of the grasslands, alerting you to the sandpiper’s presence.
A Dancer in the Sky:
During the breeding season, the male Upland Sandpiper takes flight in a spectacular display of courtship. It performs a mesmerizing aerial dance, soaring high above the grasslands with shallow, fluttering wingbeats. Watch for this mesmerizing performance, often accompanied by the bird’s melodic calls, for an unforgettable avian ballet.
A Feast on the Ground:
Unlike its shorebird relatives who probe the mud for crustaceans, the Upland Sandpiper is an expert terrestrial hunter. With its quick, jerky steps and lightning-fast jabs of its short bill, it preys on grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects that abound in the dry season grasslands.
A Transient Treasure:
The Upland Sandpiper is a migratory bird, gracing Costa Rica’s highlands only during the breeding season, roughly from March to August. So, if you’re planning a birding adventure to our mountain retreat during these months, keep your eyes peeled (and ears tuned) for this fascinating visitor.
Spotting an Upland Sandpiper might take a bit of patience and keen observation skills, but the reward is a truly unique encounter with a bird that embodies the hidden wonders of Costa Rica’s mountain ecosystems.
For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica
