• the Following Pages Have Some Identification Markers for Each of the Sandpipers Found in India

• The following pages have some identification markers for each of the Sandpipers found in India

• To know more on these birds you can visit http://ogaclicks.com/sandpiper/

• If you are interested in Coming on any of my tours or workshops please share your email id. I will keep you updated

• You can also call me on (91)9840119078 , (91) 9445219078 (91) 6369815812 Broad-billed Sandpiper Identification Tips Broad-billed Sandpiper : Limicola falcinellus : Winter Visitor to Coasts of India

Distinctive split supercilium Black mantle and scapulars with whitish fringes Wing-coverts grey-brown with whitish fringes Long broad bill decurved at tip

Neck and Breast with bold streaks

White belly Grey-brown upperparts with dark streaks Breeding

Breast has faint grey- brown streaks Non-breeding Underparts white

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Buff-breasted Sandpiper Identification Tips Buff-breasted Sandpiper : Tryngites subruficollis : Vagrant in India

Blackish spots on crown, hindneck and mantle Warm buff face

Dark brown centres to feathers of upperparts

Breeding

Warm buff Underparts White lower belly

Yellow legs

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Common Greenshank Identification Tips Common Greenshank : Tringa nebularia : Widespread Winter Visitor in India

Head streaked brown-black Upperparts are spotted and streaked black-brown

Lesser wing-coverts browner Slightly uptilted bill

Neck and Breast streaked brown-black

Breeding Upperparts uniform grey, without dark markings Legs are Dull Green Contrasting dark wing-coverts

Throat and breast are white has faint grey- Non-breeding brown streaks

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Common Greenshank Identification Tips Common Greenshank : Tringa nebularia : Widespread Winter Visitor in India

Dark wings

White back and rump

Legs beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett https://www.flickr.com/photos/pp_zoomie_guide/6271961067 ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Common Redshank Identification Tips Common Redshank : Tringa totanus eurhina: Breeds in North West Himalayas, widespread Winter visitor in India Head is ash brown streaked and spotted with Upperparts are ash brown black and dark brown streaked and spotted with black and dark brown

Lesser wing-coverts browner Black bill with Orange base

Breast is ash brown streaked and spotted with black and dark brown

Upperparts uniform grey, Breeding without dark markings Legs are shorter, orange-red

Breast is pale with faint grey-brown streaks Plain white/pale underparts Non-breeding

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Common Redshank Identification Tips Common Redshank : Tringa totanus eurhina: Breeds in North West Himalayas, widespread Winter visitor in India

White secondaries

White back

Legs jutting out well beyond the tail

Ref : Lior Kislev, HBW.com Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Common Sandpiper Identification Tips Common Sandpiper : Actitis hypoleucos : Breeds in North West Himalayas, widespread Winter visitor in

India Pale eye-ring Upperparts are greenish-brown with dark brown streaks

Tail much longer than wings

Breast has dark lateral streaks

A “C shape” wedge formed by white of underparts going into the wings White Underparts

Less streaks on head Legs are greener or greyer

Faintly barred olive-brown upperparts Breeding

Non-breeding

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Common Sandpiper Identification Tips Common Sandpiper : Actitis hypoleucos : Breeds in North West Himalayas, widespread Winter visitor in India

White Wingbar

Brown rump and centre of tail

Legs not showing

Ref : Jon helle, www.birid.no Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Curlew Sandpiper Identification Tips Curlew Sandpiper : Calidris ferruginea: Widespread Winter visitor in India Longer Bill Crown is rusty rufous to deep chestnut-red with dark streak Female Head and Neck are rusty rufous to deep chestnut-red

Long, decurved bill Mantle and scapulars dark brown with chestnut and whitish fringes

white barring on underparts Rusty rufous to deep chestnut-red Underparts wing-coverts greyer White supercilium

Breeding Plain grey upperparts

White underparts

Difference from Male Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Curlew Sandpiper Identification Tips Curlew Sandpiper : Calidris ferruginea: Widespread Winter visitor in India

Narrow White Wingbar

White rump

Legs just beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : www.birid.no ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Dunlin Identification Tips Dunlin : Calidris alpina: Widespread Winter visitor to coasts in India Crown is rusty rufous to deep chestnut-red with dark streak Head and Neck are rusty rufous Long, decurved bill to deep chestnut-red

Mantle and scapulars Rufous

wing-coverts greyer Grey Head Black Belly Breeding Plain grey upperparts

White underparts

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Dunlin Identification Tips Dunlin : Calidris alpina: Widespread Winter visitor to coasts in India

White Wingbar

Legs just beyond tail

White Outer tail feathers Great Knot Identification Tips Great Knot : Calidris tenuirostris : Winter visitor to coasts in India Face is heavily spotted black

Black Bill Mottled greyish upperparts Scapulars with large chestnut spots and blackish tips

Throat is heavily spotted black Folded wings project beyond tail Breast and flanks heavily spotted black

Head and neck finely streaked dark grey

Breeding Plain grey upperparts

Breast is pale grey & streaked Streaked flanks

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Great Knot Identification Tips Great Knot : Calidris tenuirostris : Winter visitor to coasts in India White Rump

Black Patch

Narrow White Wingbar Green Sandpiper Identification Tips Green Sandpiper : Tringa ochropus : Widespread Winter visitor in India

White Supercilium that ends on top of eyes Head and Neck streaked grey- brown Long, dark green bill Upperparts are dark greenish- brown with white spots

Black Streaked White breast

White Underparts Tail white with thick black bars

Breeding Less spotted upperparts and face

Legs are dark green

Lass streaking on breast

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Green Sandpiper Identification Tips Green Sandpiper : Tringa ochropus : Widespread Winter visitor in India

Dark wings

White rump Legs just jutting out from tail

Dark underwings

White belly

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Grey-tailed Tattler Identification Tips Grey-tailed Tattler : Tringa brevipes: Vagrant in India

White supercilium

Neck is pale grey and barred Straight long bill with pale base and dark tip Upperparts are darkish grey

Breast is pale grey and barred

Breeding White belly and vent

Short yellow legs

Breast is pale grey, no streaks

Greyish-white flanks

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Grey-tailed Tattler Identification Tips Grey-tailed Tattler : Tringa brevipes: Vagrant in India

Grey rump & back

Legs not showing beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Little Stint Identification Tips Little Stint : Calidris minuta: Widespread Winter visitor in India Head Rufous buff with brown streaks Mantle with yellowish edges Small black bill forming distinct “V”

Upperparts have dark brown centres and pale rufous fringes Breast is rufous buff with brown streaks crown grey, streaked dark

Eyestripe is dull grey White Underparts Brownish grey upperparts mottled dark and fringed Breeding pale

Legs are Black

Sides of breast dull grey

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Little Stint Identification Tips Little Stint : Calidris minuta: Widespread Winter visitor in India

White Wingbars

Grey rump & back

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Long-toed Stint Identification Tips Long-toed Stint : Calidris subminuta: Winter visitor in East coasts of India White supercilium Rufous crown with dark streaks

Rufous ear-coverts with dark streaks Small black bill

Upperparts have dark brown centres and rufous and pale buff fringes Breast is rufous-tinged finely streaked dark brown crown grey, finely streaked

Upperpart feathers with black-brown centres and grey edges Flanks are rufous-tinged finely streaked dark brown White Underparts

Legs are Yellow

Breeding Breast is suffused grey- Long toes brown with faint streaks Mantle with yellowish edges on sides and flanks forming distinct “V”

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Long-toed Stint Identification Tips Long-toed Stint : Calidris subminuta: Winter visitor in East coasts of India

Legs extend well beyond tail

Narrow white wingbars

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Marsh Sandpiper Identification Tips Marsh Sandpiper : Tringa stagnatilis : Widespread Winter visitor in India ( except Central and East India) Head and Neck streaked grey- brown

Upperparts are strongly spotted and Straight needle-like bill blotched with greyish cinnamon and black-brown

Breast streaked

Pale face White Underparts

Plain grey upperparts with narrow white fringes Breeding

Legs are greenish or yellowish

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Marsh Sandpiper Identification Tips Marsh Sandpiper : Tringa stagnatilis : Widespread Winter visitor in India ( except Central and East India)

White rump & back

Legs jutting well beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Nordmann's (Spotted) Greenshank Identification Tips Nordmann's (Spotted) Greenshank : Tringa guttifer : Vagrant in India

Head and neck densely Bill slightly upturned ,dark with yellow- spotted and streaked dark green base brownUpperparts are dark brown with whitish spots and fringes

Breast and flanks spotted blackish

Paler head and neck Dull grey upperparts with whitish fringes Breeding White belly and vent

Short and yellowish legs

Breast and flanks are not spotted

Dark brown lesser wing-coverts

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Nordmann's (Spotted) Greenshank Identification Tips Nordmann's (Spotted) Greenshank : Tringa guttifer : Vagrant in India

White rump & back

Legs showing just beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Pectoral Sandpiper Identification Tips Pectoral Sandpiper : Calidris melanotos : Vagrant in India

Crown is black-brown and streaked Bill is is olive with a darker tip Neck is streaked

Black-brown mantle Scapulars with buff and chestnut fringes and whitish tips

Heavily streaked buff breast

Sharp divide between streaked breast and white belly Breeding

White belly No-breeding similar but Yellow to greenish or brownish paler than breeding

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Pectoral Sandpiper Identification Tips Pectoral Sandpiper : Calidris melanotos : Vagrant in India

Streaked rump & back

Legs not showing beyond tail

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Mike Danzenbaker ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com

Red Knot Identification Tips Red Knot : Calidris canutus : Winter visitor to coasts in India

Upper parts are blackish mixed with pale to rufous chestnut Black Bill

Folded wings equal to Rusty chestnut Breast tail

Head and neck finely streaked dark grey

Plain grey upperparts Breeding

Rusty chestnut Underparts

Breast is pale grey & streaked Streaked flanks

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Red Knot Identification Tips Red Knot : Calidris canutus : Winter visitor to coasts in India

Rump white barred Grey

Black Patch

White Wingbar Red-necked Stint Identification Tips Red-necked Stint : Calidris ruficollis: Winter visitor to costs of Tamilnadu and Andaman &Nicobar Islands in India White supercilium Chestnut crown with dark streaks

Rufous ear-coverts are Chestnut Small black bill with white around bill base Upperparts are Chestnut with black and white markings contrasting with grey Throat and upper Breast are chestnut

White lower Breast with dark streaking

crown grey, finely streaked

Upperpart are pale grey Flanks are rufous-tinged White Underparts finely streaked

Legs are black

Breeding Grey lateral breast patches

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Red-necked Stint Identification Tips Red-necked Stint : Calidris ruficollis: Winter visitor to costs of Tamilnadu and Andaman &Nicobar Islands in India Rump is Black

White Wingbar

Legs not showing beyond tail Ruddy Turnstone Identification Tips Ruddy Turnstone: Arenaria interpres: Widespread winter visitor to coasts in India

More extensive streaking on crown Black-and-white head

Black-and-white neck

Upperparts are rufous-chestnut with black-brown patches Female

Breeding

Black and White throat and breast Head is dark grey-brown

Upperparts are dark greyish brown and blackish White underparts

Non-breeding Short and yellowish legs

Throat and breast are Dark-grey- brown Difference from Male

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett www.HBW.com Ruddy Turnstone Identification Tips Ruddy Turnstone: Arenaria interpres: Widespread winter visitor to coasts in India

White back Patch on inner wing

White Uppertail

Legs not showing beyond tail

White wingbar

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Sanderling Identification Tips Sanderling : Calidris alba : Winter visitor to costs in India

Head pale buff to chestnut with dark streaks

Small black bill with white Upperparts are pale buff to around bill base chestnut with bold black marks and white spots

Breast is chestnut with dark streaks

White Underparts

White Face Grey wing Feathers Upperpart are pale grey

Legs are black, no hind toe

Breeding darker lesser wing-coverts Legs are black, no hind toe

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Sanderling Identification Tips Sanderling : Calidris alba : Winter visitor to costs in India

Legs not showing beyond tail

Large White wingbar

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett Ref : Amar Singh, www.orientalbirdimages.org ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Identification Tips Sharp-tailed Sandpiper : Arenaria acuminata : Vagrant in India Rufous Cap Bill black with brownish or pinkish at White supercilium and prominent eyering base of lower mandible Heavily streaked Neck

Upperparts are dark brown with chestnut and whitish-buff fringes Breast heavily streaked Lower breast, upper belly and flanks Breeding have heavy blackish chevrons

Head is dark grey-brown

Upperparts are dark greyish brown and blackish White underparts

Legs are Yellowish to Non-breeding greenish or brownish

Throat and breast are greyish with faint streaks

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Spoon-billed Sandpiper Identification Tips Spoon-billed Sandpiper : Calidris pygmeus: Winter visitor in West Bengal in India Red-brown head Red-brown Neck White supercilium Upperparts are blackish with buff and pale rufous fringes

Black spatulate bill

Breast red- brown with dark Lacks reddish coloration brown streaks on head Breeding Upperparts are dark greyish with whitish fringes White underparts

Legs are Yellowish to greenish or brownish

Throat and breast Non-breeding lack reddish coloration

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Spoon-billed Sandpiper Identification Tips

Spoon-billed Sandpiper : Calidris pygmeus: Winter visitor in West Bengal in India

Grey back

Legs not showing beyond tail

White wingbar

Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Spotted Redshank Identification Tips Spotted Redshank : Tringa erythropus : Widespread Winter visitor in India (except Central, East and North East India) Long Black Neck

Black bill with lower Upperparts are blackish with white dots mandible basally red

Breast is black Dark eyestripe and white supercilium

Upperparts are Ash grey with black underparts white fringes Breeding

Legs are Red

Breast is grey Non-breeding

Underparts are white

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Spotted Redshank Identification Tips Spotted Redshank : Tringa erythropus : Widespread Winter visitor in India (except Central, East and North East India)

White oval on back

Legs extending beyond tail

©www.ogaclicks.com Temminck’s Stint Identification Tips Temminck's Stint: Calidris temminckii : Widespread Winter visitor in India

Head is grey brown

Small black bill Upperparts are dull grey to olive-brown, with variable patches of black- brown, dull rufous and grey

White throat

Breast is grey brown with heavily streaked brown

Head is plain dark grey Tail extending beyond closed wings Upperpart are plain dark grey White Underparts Legs are yellow

Breeding Breast is uniform pale grey-brown

Non-breeding Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com Important id point www.HBW.com Temminck’s Stint Identification Tips Temminck's Stint: Calidris temminckii : Widespread Winter visitor in India

Rump is Brown

White Edges to tail

White wing bars

Important id point Terek Sandpiper Identification Tips Terek Sandpiper : Xenus cinereus : Widespread Winter visitor in coasts of India

Streaked grey crown Black centres to feathers, distinct on scapulars Streaked grey neck Long upcurved black bill, with yellowish base Upperparts are Grey-brown

Breast is grey and streaked Paler head

Upperparts are brownish White underparts Greyish pale fringes Breeding

Legs are short and orange to greenish-yellow Breast is grey Non-breeding without streaks

Underparts are white

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Terek Sandpiper Identification Tips Terek Sandpiper : Xenus cinereus : Widespread Winter visitor in coasts of India

Legs extending beyond tail

broad white trailing edge to wings

©www.ogaclicks.com Wood Sandpiper Identification Tips Wood Sandpiper : Xenus glareola : Widespread Winter visitor in India

White Supercilium Head finely streaked grey-brown

Neck finely streaked grey-brown Long black bill, with yellowish base Upperparts are black-brown with white spots

More distinct White Supercilium extending Breast is finely behind eye streaked grey-brown

Upperparts are browner and less spotted Breeding White underparts

Legs are short and orange to greenish-yellow Breast washed Non-breeding grey and less streaked

Difference from Breeding plumage Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Important id point Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com www.HBW.com Wood Sandpiper Identification Tips Wood Sandpiper : Xenus glareola : Widespread Winter visitor in India

White Spotted Upperparts

White Rump

Legs extending beyond tail

Spotted Redshank White Oval patch on Back

Legs extending beyond tail Legs extending beyond tail

White edges to wings

Spotted Greenshank Common Greenshank

White Back and Rump and Upper tail

Legs just beyond tail

Common Sandpiper Green sandpiper White rump, Upper tail

White wingbar

Legs just beyond tail Legs not extended beyond tail

Spotted Upperpart White back, rump, upper tail White rump, Upper tail

Marsh Sandpiper

Legs extended well beyond tail Legs extended well beyond tail Wood Sandpiper

Great Knot White Rump

Black Patch Black Patch Narrow White Wingbar Red Knot Rump white barred Grey

White Wingbar Great Knot Vs Red Knot - Breeding

Mottled greyish upperparts Great Knot Face is heavily spotted black

Scapulars with large chestnut spots and Black Bill Folded wings blackish tips project beyond tail

Throat is heavily spotted black

Breast and flanks heavily spotted black

Red Knot

Upper parts are blackish mixed with pale to rufous chestnut Black Bill Folded wings equal to tail Rusty chestnut Breast

Rusty chestnut Underparts Great Knot Vs Red Knot – Non-Breeding

Head and neck finely streaked dark grey Plain grey upperparts

Great Knot Longer bill

Breast is white & Folded wings projecting streaked beyond the tail tip

Head and neck finely streaked dark grey Black Streaks on flanks

Plain grey upperparts

Shorter bill

Breast is pale grey & streaked Folded wings equal to the tail tip Red Knot Grey Streaks ( faint ones) flanks Curlew Sandpiper Vs Dunlin - Breeding Curlew Sandpiper Long, decurved bill Mantle and scapulars dark brown with chestnut and whitish fringes

Rusty rufous to deep chestnut-red Underparts

Smaller Bill Compared to Curlew Sandpiper Mantle and scapulars are Rufous

Dunlin

Black Belly

White Supercilium Curlew Sandpiper Long, decurved bill

No Streaks on lower Flanks

Longer legs

Light White Supercilium Smaller Bill Compared to Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Faint Streaks on lower Flanks Shorter legs

One of main difference is in the foraging habit also. The curlew Sandpiper wades into deeper water due to its longer legs, it puts its head completely into water . Dunlin wades in shallow water because of short legs hence it doesn’t have to put its head completely in water ©www.ogaclicks.com Curlew Sandpiper Vs Dunlin - Flight

White Rump

Brown Rump

Curlew Sandpiper Dunlin

Spotted Breast Grey side Breast Patches Black Legs Yellow Legs

Temminck’s Stint Red-necked Stint

Longer wings than Little stint

Stouter bill than Little Stint

Uniform Grey side Breast Patches Grey Yellow Legs Black Legs Breast