The Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis) is a small migratory wader.
Description
These birds are among the smallest of waders, very similar to the Little Stint, Calidris minuta, with which they were once considered conspecific (one species).
The breeding adult has an unstreaked orange breast, bordered with dark markings below, and a white V on its back. In winter plumage identification is difficult, although it is shorter legged and longer winged than the Little Stint.
Juveniles have more contrasting mantle plumage and weaker white lines down the back than their relative.
The Red-necked Stint’s small size, fine dark bill, dark legs and quicker movements distinguish this species from all waders except the other dark-legged stints.
It can be distinguished from the Western Sandpiper and the Semipalmated Sandpiper in all plumages by its combination of a fine bill tip, unwebbed toes, and longer primary projection.
The call is a hoarse “stit”.
Distribution and habitat
Red-necked Stints are strongly migratory, breeding along the Arctic littoral of eastern Eurasia and spending the non-breeding season in South East Asia and Australasia as far south as Tasmania and New Zealand.
They are rare vagrants to western Europe.
They are often seen in western Alaska and occasionally elsewhere in the Americas.
Behavior
Red-necked Stints are highly gregarious, and will form flocks with other small Calidris waders, such as Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Curlew Sandpipers in their non-breeding areas.
Breeding
Their breeding habitat is tundra. They nest on the ground.
Diet
They forage in wet grassland and soft mud, mainly picking up food by sight. In their non-breeding habitat they feed on intertidal mudflats and along the muddy margins of freshwater lakes. They mainly eat insects and other small invertebrates.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Calidris ruficollis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Further reading
- Jonsson, Lars and Peter J. Grant (1984) Identification of stints and peeps British Birds 77(7):293-315
- Alström, Per and Urban Olsson (1989) The identification of juvenile Red-necked and Long-toed Stints British Birds 82(8):360-372
