- Calidris minuta
Identification
12-14 cm Brown upperparts and white underparts. Face, neck, and breast are rust-brown with black spots. Back has white lines that form a distinctive V pattern in flight. Legs are black. Sexes are similar.
Distribution
Breeds in far northern Europe and Asia. Winters in Africa and South Asia.
Casual vagrant to north eastern United States and also to Australia.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Coastal and island tundra, sandy beaches, mudflats, and estuaries.
Behaviour
It nests on a bare ground scrape laying 3-5 eggs. Male and female may incubate separate clutches.
Diet includes small invertebrates picked off the mud.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Calidris minuta (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
External Links
