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Breeding plumage shows rusty tones on upperparts, often with a frosty appearance when fresh.
VIC: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from December to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Mark James Pearson
Range map
Range map
741visible hotspots
10493visible records
6states
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
Small, sprightly shorebird. By mid-summer, the frosty feather tips fade away and the neck can be deep, rich red—not to be confused with the much smaller Red-necked Stint! Very pale in winter. Juveniles are nearly spangled with black-and-white above. At all seasons, note larger size and somewhat thicker bill than other peeps or stints, along with bold white wing stripe in flight. Also occurs on mudflats, especially in migration. Extensive global range, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines on every continent except Antarctica.
Behavior
Flocks are usually seen on open beaches, well known for running back-and-forth chasing waves and feeding actively in the sand.
Gallery