Formerly known as the upland plover, the upland sandpiper is a slender brown shorebird of dry, inland fields with a thin neck, long tail, and cryptic coloration. Adults are buff above and heavily marked with dark brown barring. The throat is buff with dark brown, chevron-shaped streaking that extends onto the white breast and flanks. The slender neck supports a small head with large, dark eyes. The bill is short and straight; with a slight decurve at the tip. The legs are long and yellow. When perched, the tail extends beyond the wing tips. Juveniles appear similar to adults, but have buff tips to the back feathers and less streaking on the flanks. The sexes are alike in plumage. The call of the upland sandpiper is a whistling, quip-ip-ip-ip, pulippulip, or whip-whee-ee-you. In flight, the upland sandpiper appears dark above with a lighter brown innerwing that contrasts with the darker brown outerwing and rump. The underwing coverts are white with heavy dark brown barring. The feet do not extend beyond the tail in flight. Upon landing, the wings are stretched upwards.
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