Species Profile
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropus
Spotted Redshank
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Dusky Redshank
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Red
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
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.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
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.
Calls & Sounds
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
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.
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.
Did You Know?
- Spotted Redshanks undergo one of the most dramatic plumage changes among waders, from black in summer to grey in winter.
- They are known to be highly vocal during migration, often calling at night while in flight.
- Unlike many waders, Spotted Redshanks frequently swim in deeper water, sometimes upending like ducks to feed.
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