Wandering Tattler

1. Uniform slate-grey upperparts and short, white eyebrow meeting on the forehead

2. Distinctive tail-bobbing behaviour while foraging on rocks and reefs

3. Loud, ringing trilled call of 5–1 notes, different from the Grey-tailed Tattler’s two-note whistle

Wandering Tattlers breed in remote mountain regions of Alaska and eastern Siberia, nesting near rocky streams and alpine lakes. Females typically lay four eggs in a ground nest, and both parents share incubation duties. During the non-breeding season, they feed on marine invertebrates such as crabs, polychaete worms, mollusks, and small fish, probing among rocks and sometimes wading into belly-deep water. These birds are mostly solitary and are known for their nervous, quick movements and frequent tail-bobbing while foraging.

Wandering Tattlers are found along Australia’s rocky coastlines, coral reefs, and exposed wave platforms, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales, from September to April. They prefer areas with abundant algae and marine invertebrates and are usually seen alone or in very small groups. Look for them on rocks exposed at low tide, where their distinctive calls and tail-bobbing behaviour can help you spot them among the stones.