This hypothesis ties in with the fact that the white-rumped sandpiper is polygynous; males will mate with several females but females will only mate with one male. Hybrids between this species and the dunlin are occasionally found in northeastern North America. The white-rumped sandpiper is also suspected to hybridize with the buff-breasted sandpiper. Early development The young are covered in down feathers and leave the nest about a day after hatching. The female will tend to them by brooding them and keeping them warm, but they must find all their own food. Their first flight is at the age of about 16–17 days and soon after that they become independent. References External links North American Peeps: A Different Look at an Old Problem (identification article covering this species and other small calidrids) at surfbirds.com Birds of the Arctic white-rumped sandpiper white-rumped sandpiper white-rumped sandpiper Native birds of Alaska Birds of Canada Birds of the Dominican Republic Birds of the Caribbean Birds of South America white-rumped sandpiper white-rumped sandpiper