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Small, odd sandpiper with short legs and a long, thin bill, turned down at the tip.
VIC: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
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
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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