|

|
|
Wandering
Tattler or U’lili
This bird migrates to stay the winter in Hawaii after spending the
summer months in Canada and Alaska. In the summer the Wandering Tattler
has a spotted belly and cheeks while he rest of the feathers are gray.
During the winter months when they travel about 2,000 miles to Hawaii
their spotted belly and cheeks turn gray. The remaining gray feathers
turn to a creamy gray color.
|
|
|
This
shorebird does not have webbed feet but is a born
swimmer. |
| |
The Wandering Tattler
got its name for the "wandering" of migration and because
of the fact that it scolds or tattles when alarmed. The
Wandering Tattler communicates with 3 or 4 clear whistles while flying.
Their call is like is a bamboo flute. It also sounds like it is saying
“To-li-li! To-li-li!” This bird’s call is used when
it is flying in a group or a flock.
|
|
|
|
The
female Tattlers are larger than the males.
|
|

|
|
These
smart, fast, and friendly birds like to nest beside streams and gravel
bars. The Wandering Tattlers nest is a scrape in the ground between
two rocks. Made of willow roots, dry leaves, and twigs, the nest is
built to hold four eggs. The eggs are olive green marked with brown.
It takes about 23-25 days for the eggs to hatch. The eggs and nest
blend in well with their surroundings. |
|
|
The
Hawaiian name 'Ulilli imitates this birds call. |
| |
The Wandering Tattler
eats mollusks, crustaceans, worms, fish and “pipipi” or
Hawaiian snails. The Wandering Tattler hunts for their meal by rummaging
through the mud flats, soaring above the surface of the sea, and along
the shoreline.
|
|
|
|