From Opus

Photo by AJDH
Saudi Arabia

Xenus cinereus

[edit] Identification

22-25cm

• Very long upcurved bill
• Upperparts and breast pale grey
• Dark carpal patch
• Mainly white underparts
  

Breeding Adults: broad black scapular stripes; white supercillium
In flight shows broad white trailing edge on secondaries.

[edit] Distribution

Finland and northern Asia, wintering to tropical coasts in east Africa, south Asia and Australia.

Rare, but regular visitor to the British Isles.

Photo by Madoya Karim Madoya
Lokawi, September 2006

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

Believed to be more closely related to Phalaropes than calidrid sandpipers.

[edit] Habitat

This species occurs on muddy riversides and lakeshores, fresh water marshes and coastal mudflats; typically nesting among greyed driftwood on riverbanks

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Food is small aquatic invertebrates; it chases insects and other mobile prey, and sometimes runs to the water's edge to wash its catch.

[edit] Breeding

It lays 3-4 eggs in a lined ground scrape.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Wikipedia
2. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
3. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

[edit] External Links