Tringa solitaria, commonly known as the Solitary Sandpiper, is native to North America. It breeds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska and migrates to Central and South America during the non-breeding season. The main regions include the northern parts of the United States, and during migration, it is found widely throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

The Solitary Sandpiper is typically found in freshwater habitats, including wooded ponds, bogs, and marshes during the breeding season. In its migratory and wintering habitats, it frequents the edges of freshwater bodies, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps. The species prefers shallow waters with muddy or sandy substrates, often with abundant vegetation.

The Solitary Sandpiper is adapted to a foraging niche that involves probing and picking insects and other invertebrates from the water and mud. Its ecological role includes controlling insect populations and contributing to the food web in riparian and freshwater ecosystems. The species is known for its solitary behavior, especially in comparison to other sandpipers, which often gather in flocks.