Species Profile
Redshank
Tringa totanus
Redshank
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Common Redshank
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Appearance
The Redshank is a medium-sized wader with distinctive bright orange-red legs. Its upperparts are greyish-brown, while the underparts are white with dark streaks. The long, straight bill is orange-red at the base and black at the tip. They have a faint stripe through each eye.
During the breeding season, Redshanks display more heavily spotted and barred plumage. Females appear similar to males, although they are larger, with paler underparts.
Juveniles resemble adults but have buff-edged feathers on the upperparts, giving them a scaly appearance.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Orange
- Legs
- Orange
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Redshanks inhabit coastal mudflats, saltmarshes, and estuaries, as well as inland wetlands such as flooded grasslands and the edges of freshwater lakes. They breed across Europe and Asia, from Iceland to Siberia.
In winter, many birds migrate south to Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. In the UK, Redshanks are year-round residents, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from Iceland and northern Europe.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Cumbria
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Lincolnshire
London
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
Suffolk
Somerset
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Redshanks feed on a variety of small invertebrates, including worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. They use their long bills to probe mud and shallow water, often seen rapidly pecking at the surface, although they will take swimming prey like tadpoles and small fish when possible.
During the breeding season, they may also consume some plant material.
Behaviour
Redshanks are often seen wading in shallow water, probing the mud with their bills for food. They are known for their nervous behaviour, frequently bobbing their heads and bodies.
When alarmed, they emit loud calls and fly off with rapid wingbeats, showing a distinctive white wedge up their back and on their wings.
Calls & Sounds
Redshanks are vocal birds known for their loud, clear calls. Their alarm call is a distinctive 'teu-hu' or 'klee-u', often repeated rapidly when disturbed.
During the breeding season, males perform long display flights accompanied by a yodelling 'teu-teu-teu' song. In flight, they often give a sharp 'kip-kip-kip' call.
Nesting & Breeding
Redshanks begin breeding at one year old, forming monogamous pairs. The breeding season typically starts in April and extends through July in most of their range.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often hidden in tussocks of grass or other vegetation. Females usually lay four eggs, which are pale green to buff with dark brown spots.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching. They fledge after 25-35 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Redshanks face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and managing wetland habitats, particularly in key breeding and wintering areas across Europe and Asia.
Elevation
Up to 1,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Redshanks are preyed upon by various raptors, including Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, and Sparrowhawks. Ground predators such as foxes and rats may also take eggs and chicks.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Redshanks in coastal mudflats, estuaries, and inland wetlands
- Listen for their loud, clear 'teu-hu' alarm call
- Observe their distinctive red legs and white wing bars in flight
- In the UK, visit nature reserves along the coast for the best chances of spotting them
Did You Know?
- Redshanks have been known to use tools, dropping leaves on water to attract fish.
- They can swim and dive when necessary, especially to escape predators.
- The Redshank's scientific name, Tringa totanus, is derived from Ancient Greek and Latin words referring to a 'wader' and 'tottering' gait.
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