Scientific Name: Calidris pygmaea
Malay Name: Kedidi Paruh Sudu
Chinese Name: 勺嘴鹬
Range:
Breeding in north-eastern Siberia. Winters in South and South-east Asia.
Taxonomy:
Monotypic.
Size: 14-16 cm
Identification:
A small wader that resembles the Red-necked Stint and Little Stint. Diagnotic feature is its spatulate bill. In breeding plumage the bird is reddish-brown around the head, breast and back. The breast has varying amounts of dark streaks extending towards the belly, which is white. Non-breeding adults lack the reddish colouration, but have pale brownish-grey upperparts with with a lightly streaked cap and back of the neck. The underparts, throat and forehead are white. The legs are black.
Similar looking species: Red-necked Stint, Little Stint
Habitat: Mudflats, sandflats, sometimes sandy beaches, salt pans and prawn ponds.
Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds in shallow waters and on soft wet mud. Feeding style consists of sweeping bill from side-to-side as the bird walks forward with its head down.
Local Status: Very rare migrant
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (BirdLife International 2021)
Past accepted records in our database:
Past records, bar chart (see more bar charts):
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 (Spoon-billed Sandpiper)
References:
BirdLife International. (2021). Calidris pygmaea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22693452A154738156.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.