Spotted Redshank

Overview

The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is a large wader in the family Scolopacidae that breeds across the Arctic and migrates to wintering grounds in the Mediterranean, southern British Isles, tropical Africa, and Asia. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• A large wader measuring 29–31 cm in length with a wingspan of 61–67 cm.
• Breeding plumage is black to dark grey with white spots and dark grey legs; winter plumage is very pale.
• Juveniles are grey-brown and finely speckled white above, with pale, finely barred underparts.
• In flight, it displays a distinctive white oval on the back.
• Call is a creaking whistle teu-it (similar to a roseate tern), with an alarm call of kyip-kyip-kyip.

Habitat

The species breeds in open boggy taiga across the Arctic Palearctic, ranging from Lapland in the west to Chukotskaya in the east. It migrates south for the winter to the Mediterranean, southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia, with occasional vagrancies recorded in Australia and North America.

Diet

Like most waders, it feeds on small invertebrates.

Did you know?

During the breeding season, the bird's legs change colour to match its black and white plumage, turning a dark grey, whereas they are red in other seasons.