Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a relatively large geographic range size (Extent of Occurrence >2 million km2 in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons), and so does not approach Criterion B thresholds. Although it has a relatively small estimated population size (18,000 mature individuals; Partners in Flight 2023), this does not approach Criteria C or D thresholds. Regarding its population trend over three generations (c. 17 years), data from the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022) indicate a decline of c. 45%, but as only a very small proportion of the species' wintering range is covered by the CBC, this is not considered representative (B. Andres in litt. to Partners in Flight 2020). Similarly, while the Breeding Bird Survey (Ziolkowski et al. 2022) suggests that the population remained broadly stable overall, only some parts of the species' range are well covered by the BBS (A. Shaw in litt. to Partners in Flight 2023). Consequently, the species' trend is currently best described as unknown (Partners in Flight 2023). In the absence of convincing evidence that it is declining at a rate approaching Criterion A thresholds, the species continues to warrant listing as Least Concern.
Population justification
The species has a relatively small estimated population size at 18,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2023).
Trend justification
Over the past three generations (c. 17 years), data from the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022) indicate a decline of c. 45%, but this survey covers only a very small proportion of the species' wintering range and it is therefore not considered representative (B. Andres in litt. to Partners in Flight 2020). Similarly, while the Breeding Bird Survey (Ziolkowski Jr et al. 2022) suggests that the population remained broadly stable overall, only some parts of the species' range are well covered by the BBS (A. Shaw in litt. to Partners in Flight 2023). Consequently, the species' trend is currently best described as unknown (Partners in Flight 2023).
The species occurs in Alaska (breeding), and along the Pacific coastline, as well as Guam, Minor Outlying Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, USA, also breeding in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and North West British Columbia, Canada, and from North East Koryak Highlands, Russia. Occurs during the non-breeding season down the Pacific coastline of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, east to Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador (including Galápagos Islands), Peru, Chile (Gill et al. 2020). Primarily found during the non-breeding season in Oceania, including American Samoa, Queensland coastline, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands (to France), mainland, Niue, and Tokelau, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands (to UK), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, China, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu (Gill et al. 2020).
The species breeds in diverse habitats often associated with dwarf shrub upland and montane tundra, shaped by Pleistocene glacial events. Typical breeding landscapes include rocky, gravelly alluvium, morainal deposits, kettle lakes, tarns, scree slopes, and braided creeks and rivers. These areas are usually, but not always, bordered by riparian vegetation. In specific regions like the Kilbuck Mountains and Prince William Sound, it is found in narrow, steep-sided valleys, alpine lake shorelines, and gravel areas above the tide line. The species also nests in placer mining areas with old tailing piles. Nests are found on patchily vegetated dwarf shrub tundra near watercourses and kettle lakes, sometimes several hundred meters from fluviatile waters (Gill et al. 2020).
Non-breeding and overwintering habitat: in North America, the species primarily inhabits rocky intertidal zones, including high-energy shorelines, reefs, and sea stacks, as well as human-made structures like jetties and piers. Occasionally, it is found on freshwater impoundments near the coast and estuarine substrates. Outside North America, the species uses a wider range of habitats, including coral reefs, basalt platforms, river mouths, lagoon margins, and both natural and artificial coastal impoundments. It can also occur inland along streams, wetlands, and meadows. The species has been recorded in dense vegetation like mangrove forests, flooded coconut plantations, grassy areas, airport margins, and various human-modified areas, including golf courses and building structures (Gill et al. 2020).
Because the species is associated with fluviatile waters, placer mining in its breeding range might pose some risk to breeding populations, though the effects are not well understood (Alaska Shorebird Group 2019). Additionally, the species' reliance on hard substrate littoral habitats throughout the year makes it vulnerable to coastal oil spills. As it is estimated that around 90% of the population breeds in Alaska, any threats in this region could disproportionately affect the overall population (Alaska Shorebird Group 2019). Whilst exposure to oil is not necessarily fatal, repeated exposure can have sublethal effects that can ultimately lead to population-level impacts through diminished health and reproductive fitness (Henkel et al. 2012) Like many shorebirds, the species is also likely threatened by sea-level rise due to climate change as this can cause habitat degradation and shifts, increased variability in climate and phenological mismatches. Additionally, as sea levels rise, species composition and total productivity in littoral-zone invertebrate communities crucial for its survival will likely be affected (Rehfisch and Crick 2003).
Although their breeding habitat is likely safeguarded from development due to its location, non-breeding habitats further down the coast are likely affected by habitat loss resulting from agricultural intensification, industrial development, resource harvesting, and other activities that can impact shorebird habitats (Fernández and Lank 2008). However, the extent to which these factors affect this species remains unknown.
Conservation Actions Underway
Protected in U.S. and Canada under the 1927 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Hunting is illegal in many countries within the species range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conducting comprehensive surveys is essential to gain a better understanding of the population trend of the species. More accurately determine the threats driving population declines.
Text account compilers
Chad, E.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Wandering Tattler Tringa incana. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wandering-tattler-tringa-incana on 04/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 04/12/2024.