Long-toed Stint — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideLong-toed Stint

Tiny and slender “peep” of inland and coastal wetlands, where it is often found in well-vegetated areas such as fields and flooded meadows.

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⚠️WA: Rare

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies

SizeSmall

RarityUncommon

HabitatTiny and slender “peep” of inland and coastal wetlands, where it is often found in well-vegetated areas such as fields and flooded meadows.

Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from December to January.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Ray Tsu 诸仁

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

172approx hotspots

2701approx records

6states

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

Unlike 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.

Behavior

Breeding adults are a rich brown with darker feather centres above and white underneath. These birds forage on mudflats, picking up food by sight, sometimes by probing.

Gallery

Regional timing

Western Australia

Peak: October to November363 records

South Australia

Peak: January198 records

Queensland

Peak: January328 records

Victoria

Peak: December to January1,459 records

Northern Territory

Peak: October to November272 records

New South Wales

Peak: January54 records

Australian Capital Territory

Peak: December21 records

Commonly confused with

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.→Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosSlightly curved bill pale at base. Look for dense breast streaking with abrupt border at white belly. Plumage and yellow legs might recall Least Sandpiper, but Pectoral is much larger and looks longer-necked. Compare with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, which is brighter overall and has a more distinct dark cap. Breeds on tundra in the high Arctic. Winters mainly in southern South America, but small numbers also winter in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Much less common on open mudflats or beaches. Listen for low, trilled calls.→Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaIn flight shows plain upperwings, square white rump patch. Legs greenish yellow. Migrants and wintering birds occur in varied wetland habitats, especially with grassy and other vegetation cover. Walks in shallow water, picking with its bill. Bobs tail when nervous, but not habitually like Common Sandpiper.→