Stocky brown wader with bright red legs; compare with slenderer, far more gracile Spotted Redshank in juvenile and non-breeding plumage.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatInhabits fresh and coastal wetlands; also breeds on moorland, usually near water.
Best timeMost reliable in Western Australia from June to September.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by David Darrell-Lambert
Range map
Range map
27visible hotspots
92visible records
4states
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
Bobs tail when nervous, and then flies to show flashy white trailing edge to wings, white rump patch. Inhabits fresh and coastal wetlands; also breeds on moorland, usually near water.
Behavior
Often rather wary, alerting other birds with its loud, fluty, whistled calls. Feeds in muddy shallows, probing and picking with its bill.
Gallery
Regional timing
Western Australia
South Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Northern Territory
Victoria
Commonly confused with
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.→Broad-billed SandpiperCalidris falcinellusUpperparts 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.→Common GreenshankTringa nebulariaNote overall grayish plumage with white belly and greenish legs. In flight, appears dark above with a broad white stripe up the middle of the back. Slightly larger and lankier than Common Redshank. Usually seen as singles or small groups.→