Tringa totanus
The Common Redshank, *Tringa totanus*, is a medium-sized, elegant wader instantly identifiable by its striking, vibrant rusty-red legs and the bold white secondary panel visible against its dark wings during flight. Measuring approximately 27-35 cm in length with a wingspan of 59-66 cm and weighing 85-157 grams, its plumage is predominantly streaked brown and grey above, with a paler, often white, belly that becomes more heavily streaked on the flanks and breast in breeding season. This speci...
Predominantly found in coastal mudflats, saltmarshes, estuaries, and wet grasslands, favoring open, low-lying wetland environments for both breeding and wintering. It rarely occurs at high elevations.
Feeds mainly on a variety of invertebrates including marine worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects, occasionally taking small fish, typically acquired by probing into mud or gleaning from the surface.
Common Redshanks are primarily diurnal, actively foraging during low tides and roosting communally in large flocks at high tide, often on safe, raised ground. They employ a varied foraging strategy, probing rapidly into soft mud with their moderately long bill, as well as gleaning invertebrates f...
The Common Redshank exhibits a broad Palearctic breeding range, extending across much of temperate Eurasia from Iceland and the British Isles eastward through Europe, Russia, and Central Asia to parts of East Asia, including China and Japan. Breeding populations typically favor coastal saltmarshe...
Least Concern
- The Common Redshank's vibrant red legs are its most distinguishing feature and the origin of its name; however, their intensity can dull slightly outside the breeding season. - Known as the "sentinel of the marsh," its loud and distinctive alarm call often warns other wetland birds of approachi...