Page 428 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Family Scolopacidae Species Calidris ruficollis Family Scolopacidae Species Calidris acuminata
Red-necked Stint Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
In summer, the largely rust-red neck and upper chest A smallish wader, the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is like
of the Red-necked Stint are distinctive, although the rather less rare Pectoral Sandpiper without the
larger Sanderlings (see p.177) look similar in late closely streaked breast-band.Adults have a cap that
summer. However, autumn vagrants are confusingly is streaked dark and pale rufous, and a streaked breast
like Semipalmated Sandpipers and Little Stints (see petering out in a scattering of loose spots; immatures
p.181), requiring close study for identification.The have a plain peachy breast, finely marked at the sides.
very short bill, unwebbed feet, short legs, and deep All have greenish yellow legs and a yellowish
body may help; grey wings against the brighter back, base to the short, slightly curved bill. streaked
and a lack of white “V”s above are also useful. OCCURRENCE Very rare vagrant rufous
OCCURRENCE Very rare in Europe, from E Siberia. in NW Europe, from SE Asia, cap
VOICE High, hoarse chrit. early autumn. short
VOICE Soft, quiet wheep. bill
ADULT rust-red
(SUMMER) neck
diffuse
breast-
JUVENILE band

short bill

Length 13–16cm (5–6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 25–30cm (10–12in) Length 17–21cm (6 1 ⁄2–8 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 40cm (16in)

Family Scolopacidae Species Calidris melanotos Family Scolopacidae Species Tryngites subruficollis
Pectoral Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper
One of the commoner North American birds in Although often near water on migration,this sandpiper
Europe (but still rare), this Ruff-like (see p.200) wader is as likely to be seen on open,dry ground where it runs
is quite small, with bright buff feather edges above and in short, quick bursts. It is small, rounded, with long
a white “V” on the back, a dark cap, and, most usefully yellow legs and a short black bill, rather like a tiny Ruff
for identification, a closely streaked breast sharply (see p.200).The upperparts are spangled dark with
defined against the white belly. In flight, the rump scaly pale fringes.The whole neck and breast area is
shows oval white sides.The legs are yellow. a warm, rich buff, slightly spotted at the sides. In
OCCURRENCE Rare but regular in W Europe in flight, the rump looks dark, the wings
autumn, from North America. have just a diffuse paler central band.
VOICE Short, quite deep, throaty trill, trrr’t. OCCURRENCE Regular but rare
dark cap vagrant to NW Europe, from
bright buff closely streaked North America.
feather edges breast scaly pattern
on upperparts VOICE Mostly on back
rather silent.
JUVENILE buff
breast
JUVENILE
defined
breast-band long yellow
legs

Length 19–23cm (7 1 ⁄2–9in) Wingspan 38–44cm (15–17 1 ⁄2in) Length 18–20cm (7–8in) Wingspan 35–37cm (14–14 1 ⁄2in)
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