The male performs an aerial display during courtship.
VIC: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatBreeds in taiga bogs, usually at coasts and estuaries on migration and in winter.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by David Darrell-Lambert
Range map
Range map
147visible hotspots
2781visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Upperparts dark, contrasting with the white underparts and streaky breast. When flushed, flight is low and often short. Bold head pattern, evident in all seasons, is the best feature to look for in winter-plumaged birds. Breeds in taiga bogs, usually at coasts and estuaries on migration and in winter.
Behavior
Furtive, with a slow feeding action.
Gallery
Regional timing
Northern Territory
Queensland
Victoria
Western Australia
New South Wales
South Australia
Commonly confused with
Long-toed StintCalidris subminutaUnlike most other small sandpipers in the region, this species has a distinctly long-winged and slender-bodied appearance. Note that long toes project slightly beyond tail in flight, unlike other stints. Flight call a quiet “prrrrp” similar to Curlew Sandpiper.→Asian DowitcherLimnodromus semipalmatusVery uncommon large, long-billed shorebird, nearly the size of a godwit, found in coastal mudflats and open marshes. Juvenile dark above, with broad gold feather edges, pale below, washed with warm buff or gold tones and with neat dark stipples and chevron-shaped marks. Blackish legs distinguish Asian from Long-billed Dowitcher, which has yellowish-green legs. Blackish or brownish bill of adult Asian differs from bicolored bill of godwits; note that bill of juvenile Asian has pale base.→Nordmann's GreenshankTringa guttiferSimilar to Common Greenshank, with a burlier, more bull-headed appearance, shorter legs, and thicker bill. Breeding adult mostly gray above, white below, with densely spotted breast and upper sides. Nonbreeding adult pearly gray above and snowy white below. Bicolored bill is olive-green at the base, darkening towards the tip. Breeds in coastal marsh and sparse wet forests; winters on mudflats, coastal wetlands, aquaculture ponds, and paddies.→