Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckii

Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Very rare vagrant · Size: 13.5–15 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in northern Europe and northern Asia. Winters in Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and East Asia.

Identification

A very small, plain-looking wader with relatively uniform greyish-brown upperparts, drab brownish-grey ear coverts and breast, and white underparts. Greenish-yellow legs. In flight, shows distinctive white sides of tail. In non-breeding plumage, the general appearance recalls a miniature Common Sandpiper.

Habitat

Muddy freshwater wetlands, paddy fields, large rivers, salt pans, and prawn ponds.

Behaviour

Feeds at marshy and muddy edges amongst vegetation, creeping steadily along pool edges and picking up food by sight.