Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint
60
20 hours ago
The Temminck's Stint, Calidris temminckii, is a very small and inconspicuous wader belonging to the Scolopacidae family. Named after Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck, this species is known for its cryptic brown and grey plumage, which provides excellent camouflage in its preferred habitats. It is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Eurasia and wintering across vast areas of Africa and South Asia.
Where to spot
Temminck's Stints prefer freshwater habitats, such as muddy edges of lakes, ponds, slow-flowing rivers, and marshes, particularly during migration. In their breeding grounds, they inhabit tundra areas near water, and in wintering grounds, they can be found in similar freshwater wetlands, rice fields, and occasionally brackish lagoons or estuaries.
How to spot
This species is often observed foraging with a distinctive 'mouse-like' creeping movement, hugging the ground as it meticulously picks small invertebrates from the mud or shallow water. They are less prone to running than other small stints. Their call is a soft, trilling 'tirrr' or 'trrrt' that can help in identification.
When to spot
Birdwatchers are most likely to spot Temminck's Stints during their spring and autumn migrations, when they can be found across a wide range of temperate and tropical regions. They are typically active feeders throughout the day. Breeding occurs during the Arctic summer, from late May to August, while they spend the non-breeding season in their southern wintering grounds.
Where to spot
Temminck's Stints prefer freshwater habitats, such as muddy edges of lakes, ponds, slow-flowing rivers, and marshes, particularly during migration. In their breeding grounds, they inhabit tundra areas near water, and in wintering grounds, they can be found in similar freshwater wetlands, rice fields, and occasionally brackish lagoons or estuaries.
How to spot
This species is often observed foraging with a distinctive 'mouse-like' creeping movement, hugging the ground as it meticulously picks small invertebrates from the mud or shallow water. They are less prone to running than other small stints. Their call is a soft, trilling 'tirrr' or 'trrrt' that can help in identification.
When to spot
Birdwatchers are most likely to spot Temminck's Stints during their spring and autumn migrations, when they can be found across a wide range of temperate and tropical regions. They are typically active feeders throughout the day. Breeding occurs during the Arctic summer, from late May to August, while they spend the non-breeding season in their southern wintering grounds.
Credits:
Door Andreas Trepte - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15993373
Unlike many shorebirds, Temminck's Stint often walks with a low, 'creeping' posture, almost hugging the ground, giving it a unique mouse-like appearance as it forages.
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- 506 (Seen in the last 3 months)
- Last spotted
- 20 hours ago
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