Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Calidris tenuirostris
Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 28.5–29.5 cm · Conservation: Endangered
Breeds in northeastern Siberia. Winters along the coasts of the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Southeast Asia and Australia.
A relatively large sandpiper with short legs, a pot-bellied appearance and thick, medium-length, slightly drooping bill. In non-breeding plumage, shows grey-brown upperparts, indistinct supercilium, indistinct grey streaks on head to upper breast, white belly, and brown spots on upper flanks and sides of breast sometimes forming a breast band. Breeding adult has a distinct cinnamon-rufous band across scapulars and darker spots on head, breast and flanks. Larger and darker overall than Red Knot with a heavier structure, longer bill, less distinct supercilium, and spots rather than chevron-shaped markings on flanks.
Intertidal mudflats and sandflats.