Bird guideSharp-tailed Sandpiper

Sharp-tailed sandpipers are strongly migratory , breeding solely in eastern Siberia from the Taymyr Peninsula to Chaunskaya Bay in Chukotka.

⚠️Vulnerable

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatSimilar to Pectoral Sandpiper, but Sharp-tailed is usually brighter (breeding adults and juveniles especially) and lacks a sharp demarcation between streaked breast and white belly.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from December to January.

Sounds

Sound sample
0:000:00
Recorded by Andrew Spencer

Range map

Range map

2311visible hotspots
98374visible 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

Behavior

Found in freshwater marshes and coastal mudflats, sometimes inland. Listen for excited “peep!” calls, often doubled, and other soft twitters.

Regional timing

Western Australia
Peak: October to February1,751 records
Victoria
Peak: December to January33,853 records
New South Wales
Peak: October to January18,148 records
Northern Territory
Peak: September to October5,989 records
South Australia
Peak: October to February11,570 records
Queensland
Peak: October to January25,796 records
Tasmania
Peak: January to February722 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: October801 records
© BetterBirdingAustralian bird pages, free in the app, with every feature unlocked.Privacy