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Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropus

With its striking black breeding plumage, this wading bird transforms from a drab winter gray to a stunning sight in wetlands across Europe and Asia.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Spotted Redshank is a striking wader with distinctive seasonal plumage. In breeding season, it displays a sooty black body with white spots on its upperparts, a long, slender black bill with a red base, and bright red legs.

During winter, it transforms to a pale grey above and white below, retaining its characteristic long, slightly upturned bill and red legs. Unlike the similar Common Redshank, Spotted Redshanks lack the barred wing markings in their winter plumage.

Females and males are similar year-round, although, in summer, the female’s black plumage shows more spotting than the male's. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff-edged feathers on their upperparts.

Size

Length

29cm to 31cm

Wingspan

59cm to 67cm

Weight

121g to 205g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black Red

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Spotted Redshank can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Spotted Redshank can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Spotted Redshank is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Spotted Redshanks breed in the subarctic regions of northern Europe and Asia, favouring boggy areas in taiga and tundra. During migration and winter, they frequent coastal mudflats, estuaries, and inland wetlands.

Countries with the most notable breeding populations include Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

In the UK, they are regular passage migrants and winter visitors, with significant numbers found along the east and south coasts of England. They are less common in North America, occasionally appearing as vagrants on both coasts.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Spotted Redshank. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Russia

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Spotted Redshank demonstrates high agility with its graceful, buoyant flight and ability to wade and swim in various water depths. Its adeptness in probing for prey in shallow waters and quick movements during feeding also indicate excellent manoeuvrability.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for its size, the Spotted Redshank possesses adequate strength for its lifestyle. It can perform aerial displays and long-distance migrations, suggesting moderate muscular capability relative to its body size.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows remarkable adaptability, evidenced by its dramatic seasonal plumage changes and ability to thrive in diverse habitats from subarctic breeding grounds to temperate coastal areas. Its varied diet and capacity to feed in different water depths further demonstrate its adaptiveness.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Spotted Redshanks are not particularly aggressive birds. They tend to form small flocks outside the breeding season, suggesting a relatively sociable nature. However, they likely display some territorial behaviour during breeding, hence a moderate aggression rating.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

As long-distance migrants capable of travelling between subarctic breeding grounds and temperate or subtropical wintering areas, Spotted Redshanks exhibit considerable endurance. Their ability to maintain energetic feeding behaviours and perform breeding displays also indicates good stamina.

Diet

Spotted Redshanks have a varied diet consisting mainly of aquatic invertebrates. They feed on insects, small crustaceans, aquatic insects, flying insects, worms, amphibians, molluscs, and occasionally small fish.

Their long, slender bills are well-adapted for probing mud and sand in shallow water to catch prey or moving their bill from side to side through the water with a sweeping motion. They are also observed to feed at night as well as during daylight hours.

Behaviour

Spotted Redshanks are often seen wading in shallow water, using their long bills to probe for prey.

They are known for their graceful, buoyant flight and their tendency to form small flocks outside the breeding season. These birds are also notable for their habit of swimming in deeper water, more so than other sandpipers.

Vocalisation

The Spotted Redshank has a distinctive call, often described as a clear, ringing 'chew-it' or 'teu-it', which is usually made as a contact call or made after a nest site is disturbed.

During the breeding season, males produce a yodelling song that sounds like 'tlui-tlui-tlui'. In flight, they often give a sharp 'tchup' call, useful for identification during migration.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs in the subarctic, typically from late May to July. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, making steep climbs followed by gliding descents while calling.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often near water and concealed by vegetation. Females typically lay 4 olive-green eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.

The incubation period lasts about 22-24 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and fledge after approximately 25-27 days.

The female’s involvement in incubation tails off as the days pass, and by the final week, it’s common for the male alone to be left as the sole guardian of the eggs and young.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Spotted Redshanks face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wetland habitats along their migration routes and wintering grounds, particularly in Europe and Africa.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

110,000 - 270,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Spotted Redshanks in coastal mudflats and estuaries during migration and winter.
  • Listen for their distinctive 'chew-it' call, which is often heard before the bird is seen.
  • Observe their feeding behaviour, as they often wade belly-deep in water.
  • In the UK, the best spots include coastal areas in East Anglia and Southeast England.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Dusky Redshank

Family:

Scolopacidae

Average Lifespan

4 years

Max Lifespan

8.6 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include large birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Arctic Skuas, as well as foxes and other mammals that may prey on eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

  1. Spotted Redshanks undergo one of the most dramatic plumage changes among waders, from black in summer to grey in winter.
  2. They are known to be highly vocal during migration, often calling at night while in flight.
  3. Unlike many waders, Spotted Redshanks frequently swim in deeper water, sometimes upending like ducks to feed.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Tringa erythropus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22693207A86682083.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2015: BirdLife International; Wetlands International

  3. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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