Scientific Name: Calidris alba
Malay Name: Kedidi Jari Tiga
Chinese Name: 三趾滨鹬
Range:
Breeds in high Arctic areas of North America, Europe and Asia. In wintering months, it has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: alba, rubida.
Size: 18-21 cm
Identification:
A smallish wader but bigger than the typical stints. Shortish thicker straight black bill. Blackish legs and feet and lacks hind toe. Breeding plumage shows rusty tones on upperparts, often with a frosty appearance when fresh. Looks similar to the smaller Red-necked Stints. In non-breeding plumage, distinctive combination of pale grey ear coverts and upperside, and snowy white underside. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but has darker streaks on crown and hindneck, blackish mantle and scapulars, boldly patterned with buffish-white and buff-washed breast with dark streaks on the side. Prominent bold white wing stripe in flight.
Habitat: Sandflats, mudflats, sandy beaches, sometimes salt pans. More infrequently, it may occur on rocky shores.
Behaviour/Ecology: Running back-and-forth chasing waves and feeding actively in the sand by rapid probing and pecking.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Sanderling)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Calidris alba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22693369A86614145.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.