Wednesday 13 May 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday 146 - Red-necked Stint

This little chap is a Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis, and its probably Australia's most abundant migratory wader.

This bird arrives from its Arctic and Alaskan breeding grounds in our summer - so really the idea that it 'over winters' anywhere is not correct.  This is one of the key waders you need to be able to identify inVictoria, once you can ID these, you can't start to find birds which are not Re-necked Stints!

These birds are not in their breeding plumage, and are probably part of the population that does not fly north to breed.  Even though they 'should' be elsewhere, you can normally find a few in the correct habitats.

This bird is about 13 - 16cm long, and when we band them, you can easily hold two or three safely at one time.  These birds we feeding in the mud of some drying semi-slaine lakes at Point Lonsdale a few week ago.  I have say I always like watching these busy little birds.






These birds don't have a 'red-neck' because they have not come into breeding plumage.  I do like the images with the reflections.

Now, once more, its over to you!  Click the blue button below the thumbnails and off you go!

37 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful bird!! And such great captures for the day, as always, Stewart!! Love that LONG bill!! Hope your week is going well!!

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  2. Such a cute bird. I agree that the shot with the reflection is really cool!

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  3. Cute little shorebirds. We're still waiting for the shorebirds to come through here but I imagine when they do come they'll all be here in a rush to get further north.

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  4. I love it! This one reminds me of a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Very nice pics!

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  5. Great photos of the little Red-necked Stints. There are lots of them up here and they are one of my favorite birds!

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  6. Hi Stewart, Your Red-necked Stint is a cute bird. Great shots, the reflections are awesome. Thanks for hosting, have a happy week ahead!

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  7. They are really nice little waders. But all waders are great aren't they.

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  8. Sweet little birds, lovely reflections.

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  9. Hi Stewart I love the reflections of these Stints in the water. And I am soooo homesick for Tanzania when I see these waders... Greetings Jo

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  10. gazillions of them can be found on FL beaches year round. I love watching them and their cousins too.

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  11. I just saw a Baltimore Oriole. They are such a nice pop of color in these parts. As always nice shots.

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  12. It's a great-looking bird, with great photos! I loved seeing the info as well.

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  13. Cracking shots of this little wader.

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  14. Love the stint and the reflections. I have such trouble IDing shorebirds (I have some trouble with a lot of birds, but tons of it with shorebirds).

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  15. Such little cuties!!!

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  16. Lovely little shorebird. The reflections are really pretty.

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  17. I have looked and looked and am not seeing a red neck in the bunch ... then I decided, maybe they get their red neck during the mating season and that is how they got their name. But, alas, they are beautiful without it and your pictures are great,especially the ones with reflections. Yet another bird that I have never heard of ... what would I do without you, Stewart :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  18. The reflections are the added bonus to what is a beautiful shorebird.

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  19. I love the reflections. These fellows a pretty cute and I enjoy watching busy birds too (plus it adds to the challenge of capturing them).

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  20. Pretty shorebirds. I love the reflection shots! Thank you for hosting, Stewart.

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  21. Tiny dear little things--and they fly so far! Great photos :)

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  22. That's a great looking little wader. I'm hoping to catch up with a Little Stint or two here hopefully.

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  23. That's a great looking little wader. I'm hoping to catch up with a Little Stint or two here hopefully.

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  24. Marvelous photos of the bird and awesome reflections in the water.
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  25. Stewart, great capture. Splendid reflections. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Hi Stewart, Lovely to see your great post and those shots are just wonderful. Beaut reflections in them too.
    Hope all is well over your way, I finally got organised in time to join in this week. Cheers now :D)

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  27. I love watching this birds swooping over the water.
    Looks like our Sanderling (calidris alba)
    MB

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  28. Pretty bird! Lovely reflections, too!

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  29. Running along the beach, he's a pretty sight. Fantastic photos Stewart.

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  30. This bird's shape and coloring reminds me of our sandpipers. They are fast, running in and out with the waves, and always fun to watch.

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  31. I'd like to be sitting on the foreshore watching that bird. :)

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  32. A bird I haven't met in person. Thanks for sharing yur views.

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