The Tahiti sandpiper or Tahitian sandpiper is an extinct member of the large wader family Scolopacidae that was endemic to Tahiti in French Polynesia until its extinction sometime before 1819.
Region
Society Islands, South Pacific
Typical Environment
Historically confined to Tahiti, it frequented shaded freshwater streams, riverbanks, and moist forested valleys. It foraged along stony creek margins, sandbars, and patches of wet leaf litter where aquatic insects and larvae were abundant. Occasional use of coastal shallows and quiet estuarine edges has been suggested from historical accounts. Nesting was probably on the ground near water, like many small sandpipers.
Altitude Range
unknown
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Known from a handful of specimens and illustrations made during Captain Cook’s voyages, the Tahiti sandpiper vanished by the early 19th century. It likely succumbed to habitat alteration along streams and the impacts of introduced predators such as rats. Its scientific name means 'white-winged', referencing a notable wing patch. Very little was recorded about its voice or breeding before extinction.
Restoration by Keulemans
Illustration by John Latham
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over water
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs along quiet streams, retreating quickly into cover when disturbed. Breeding behavior was never formally documented, but it likely nested on the ground in simple scrapes near water. Little evidence suggests it formed large flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations were poorly recorded; it likely gave thin, high contact notes typical of small sandpipers. Any song or display calls remain undocumented.
Plumage
Mostly dusky to chocolate-brown with fine mottling and scaling; paler mottled underparts. A distinct white wing patch is conspicuous in flight.
Diet
Fed primarily on aquatic insects and their larvae, including midges and mayflies, as well as small crustaceans and worms. It gleaned prey from wet leaf litter and probed among mossy stones in shallow riffles. Occasional pecking at small shoreline invertebrates likely supplemented its diet.
Preferred Environment
Foraged along clear, slow-moving streams, shaded banks, and damp forest floors near water. It also used small sandbars and quiet creek edges where invertebrates concentrate.
