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PLATE 44: SANDPIPERS II
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus PM, WV
L: 23. W: 59. Distinguished by call and contrasting black-and-white plumage. Shy, often first seen
when flushed, when black wings above and below contrast sharply with white belly and white
rump. At rest blackish upperparts and breast contrast with clear white belly and flanks. Juvenile
darker, more uniform and buff-spotted, head rather dark with obvious pale eye-ring and short
supercilium in front of eye. Often in small flocks. Voice Flight call sharp, melodic dlo-eed-witt-witt,
loud and far-carrying. Habitat Muddy streams, small pools, wadis, edges of freshwater wetlands.
Note Passage and winter hatched.Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola PM, WV
L: 20. W: 56. Resembles Green Sandpiper but upperparts paler, less contrasting and boldly
speckled whitish and with conspicuous white supercilium; also rather long, yellowish-green legs
and more elegant appearance. In flight brownish upperparts contrast with white rump; differs from
Green Sandpiper in whitish (not dark) underwing, longer feet-projection and call. Juvenile has
buff-spotted upperparts, somewhat recalling young Common Redshank. Occurs singly or in small
flocks. Voice When flushed, characteristic, far-carrying series jiff-iff-iff-iff. Habitat Freshwater
marshes with muddy margins. Note Passage and winter hatched.Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus PM, WV
L: 23. W: 58. Rather squat, front-heavy wader with short orange-yellow legs and long upcurved
bill. Grey head and upperparts bordered by dark shoulder bar, carpal patch and primary-line. In
flight, wings show white trailing edge, much narrower than that of Common Redshank. In juvenile
and winter adult, black shoulder bar is faint or absent. Frequently bobs rear end (reminiscent of
Common Sandpiper) and when feeding often runs fast with head lowered. Feeds singly, but may
roost in groups. Voice Flight call clear, fluty tjiy-tjiy or dwitt-dwitt, softer than Common Redshank,
sometimes recalling Ruddy Turnstone in character. Habitat Tidal mudflats, saltmarshes, mangrove
creeks, coral reefs; scarce inland on passage. Note Passage hatched; winters Arabian coasts
(where some oversummer).Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos PM, WV
L: 20. W: 40. Short-legged wader with almost uniform brown upperparts, clean white underparts
running up in a wedge between wing and brownish breast-sides; rather long tail projecting well
beyond wing-tips at rest; note constantly bobbing rear-body. Unique flight action low over water
with vibrating, shallow and stiff wingbeats, alternating with short glides. In flight shows distinct,
but rather thin, white wing-bar (also obvious from below) and brown rump and tail with pale
outer edges. Juvenile has wing-coverts barred buff and dark. Feeds singly, sometimes roosts in
small groups. Voice Flight call characteristic series of piping notes, descending hee-dee-dee-dee.
Habitat Winter and passage on edge of any wetland. Note Passage and winter hatched.Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres PM, WV
L: 23. W: 53. Stocky, short-billed and short-legged wader; distinguished in breeding plumage by
striking head and breast markings, chestnut shoulders and wing-coverts, and bright orange
legs. Flight is strong and direct and shows distinctive pied and chestnut appearance; black breast
is a striking feature. In winter and juvenile plumage, head and neck are much darker, and usually
lack chestnut; also juvenile shows bold buffish fringes on most coverts. Walks with a rolling gait,
and turns or flips over stones and seaweed for food items. Voice Calls short and staccato; when
feeding low chuk; in flight krytt-te- krytt-te-krytt or kritt-it-it. Habitat Rocky or sandy coasts; rarely
inland lakes. Note Passage and winter hatched; occasional inland. Some remain in summer.