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PLATE 46: SANDPIPERS IV
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris pm, wv
L: 27. W: 55. Like large Red Knot, similarly stocky build but more tapering at rear. In winter plumage
told from Red Knot by longer, slightly more decurved bill with heavier base, larger greyish spots
on underparts, less defined supercilium (more extensive greyish lores) and more obvious tail
pattern (white rump and uppertail-coverts contrasting with dark upperparts and tail); upperparts
darker than Red Knot with dark streaking to centres of grey feathers. In breeding plumage easily
told by dense blackish spotting on breast and flanks, dark streaks on mantle and hindneck, and
chestnut centres to scapulars. Juvenile also told from similar Red Knot by heavily marked breast,
contrasting with pale belly, and pale-fringed wing-coverts with dark shaft-streaks. In first-winter
some juvenile coverts often retained, helping identification. Voice Usually silent, occasionally a soft
prrt. Habitat Coastal mudflats. Note Passage and winter hatched, but often rare; vagrant Bahrain,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen.Red Knot Calidris canutus V
L: 24. W: 50. In winter told by combination of stocky build (noticeably larger and plumper than
Dunlin), pale grey upperparts and straight, rather stout bill (about length of head); in flight, rather
long-winged, rump greyish-white and tail grey. Legs grey-green. In summer plumage, brick red
below with black, white, grey and buff mottling above; told from summer Curlew Sandpiper by
shorter straight bill, larger size and tail pattern. Juvenile has poorly marked breast (unlike Great
Knot); wing-coverts have dark subterminal markings and pale tips, but no dark shaft-streaks as in
Great Knot. Voice Short nasal wut or wut wut, rather quiet. Habitat Coastal mudflats. Note Vagrant
Near East, Iraq, Iran and Arabia.Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea PM, WV
L: 19. W: 40. Told from Dunlin in all plumages by white rump, longer, more decurved bill and longer
legs, giving a more elegant appearance. Easily told in breeding plumage by chestnut-red face
and underparts (often with white feather-fringes). In winter plain grey above, white below with
a light suffusion to breast-sides and noticeable white supercilium; then also distinguished from
Dunlin by cleaner appearance with whiter underparts. In first-autumn, has rather scaly grey-brown
upperparts, noticeable white supercilium and yellowish-buff wash to breast. Usually in small flocks.
Voice Trilling, trururip or almost disyllabic churrip in flight. Habitat Coastal mudflats; also inland
wetlands Note Passage hatched; winters mainly in coastal Arabia (some oversummer).Dunlin Calidris alpina PM, WV
L: 18. W. 38. Larger than the stints with longer, slightly downcurved bill. In summer plumage
easily told by black belly-patch. In winter, this patch is lost as are rufous tones to upperparts;
then has grey upperparts with narrow pale fringes to coverts and scapulars, grey breast and white
belly. From similar Curlew Sandpiper by different rump pattern (white with dark centre), lack of
white supercilium, darker upperparts and breast, and shorter bill and legs. In first-autumn, note
chestnut on coverts, white ‘V’ on mantle, and lines of dark spotting on flanks below finely streaked
breast. Voice Reedy kreep in flight distinctive. Habitat Coastal mudflats; also inland wetlands.
Note Passage and winter hatched; some summer south to Arabia.Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus PM, WV
L: 17. W. 35. Slightly smaller than Dunlin, from which told by longer, broad-based bill with
downward droop near tip (head-on, tip also seen to be swollen), shorter yellowish-grey legs and
double supercilium. In summer upperparts rather dark with white ‘V’ on mantle, white line on
scapulars and white underparts with dark-spotted and streaked breast and flanks. In winter,
greyer with less obvious supercilium; then shape and length of bill, leg colour and, if present,
dark area on carpals important for identification. In first-autumn, resembles adult but streaking
below finer and confined to breast. Often has slow-moving and crouching feeding action. In rather
erratic flight, appears small, heavy-fronted and, in breeding plumage, dark with narrow wing-bar.
Voice Flight call rather weak with a dry, slightly buzzing character, ascending a little at end, brlliid.
Habitat Coastal mudflats; also inland wetlands. Note Passage hatched; winters mainly in coastal
Arabia. Formerly placed in genus Limicola.