From Opus

Photo by nigelblake
Location: Titchwell, Norfolk, UK

Calidris minuta

[edit] Identification

12-14 cm Brown upperparts and white underparts. Face, neck, and breast are rust-brown with black spots. Back has white lines that form a distinctive V pattern in flight. Legs are black

Sexes are similar.

[edit] Similar Species

Dunlin which has a down-curved bill

Photo by postcardcv
Mixed flock of Dunlin and little stint. Titchwell, Norfolk, UK

[edit] Distribution

Breeds in far northern Europe and Asia. Winters in Africa and South Asia.

Casual vagrant to north eastern United States and also to Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Coastal and island tundra, sandy beaches, mudflats, and estuaries.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It nests on a bare ground scrape laying 3-5 eggs. Male and female may incubate separate clutches.

[edit] Diet

Diet includes small invertebrates picked off the mud.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] External Links