- Xenus cinereus
Identification
A medium-sized wader (length: 23 cm), recognized by the upcurved and long bill, dirty-grey and colorless plumage with black V on back.
Distribution
Finland and northern Asia, wintering to tropical coasts in east Africa, south Asia and Australia.
Taxonomy
It is part of the shank-tattler-phalarope clade and less closely related to the calidrid sandpipers.
Habitat
This species occurs mainly on muddy riversides and lakeshores, typically nesting among greyed driftwood on riverbanks
Behaviour
Food is small aquatic invertebrates; it chases insects and other mobile prey, and sometimes runs to the water's edge to wash its catch.
It lays 3-4 eggs in a lined ground scrape.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Xenus cinereus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program


