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Medium-sized brownish wader with a white belly, varied pale spotting and spangling on back.
WA: Rare; NT: Endangered
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from September to October.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Petter Westberg
Range map
Range map
691visible hotspots
13638visible 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
In 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.
Behavior
Breeds in bogs and marshes in open coniferous and mixed forests. Mainly found as singles or small flocks, not mixed with other species.
Gallery