This widespread and well-known sandpiper is easily identified even at a distance by its peculiar habit of constantly bobbing its tail. When flushed, it has a distinctive flight style that to me looks almost insect-like. Spotted Sandpipers often breed farther south and winter farther north than most of our shorebirds; however, they do nest throughout most of the U.S. and Canada, and often winter as far south as South America.