Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Calidris ruficollis
Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 14–16 cm · Conservation: Near Threatened
Breeds in northern and northeastern Siberia. Winters in East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Greater Sundas, and Australasia.
A small wader, very similar to Little Stint and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Short, straight black bill. Breeding adult has unstreaked rufous-orange cheeks, ear coverts, lower throat, and centre of upper breast; rufous and gold tones in upperwing coverts. Nonbreeding adult gray above with dark shaft-streaks, pale below with distinct greyish lateral breast patch with slight dark streaking; juvenile similar but richer gray-brown above with neat pale feather edges.
Mudflats, sandflats, salt pans, coastal pools, and other inland wetlands.
Highly gregarious; forms flocks with other small Calidris waders. Rapid pecking, sometimes probing.