Little Stint
Calidris minuta
小滨鹬
Introduction
A very small wader (Calidris minuta) in the sandpiper family. Breeds in arctic regions of Europe and Asia. Long-distance migrant, wintering south to Africa and south Asia. Occasionally recorded as vagrant to North America and Australia. Population dynamics strongly linked to lemming cycles—during poor lemming years, predators such as skuas and snowy owls switch to preying on Arctic-breeding waders instead. Covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
Description
A very small, compact wader with a fine dark bill and dark legs. The breeding adult displays an orange wash on the breast, white throat, and a prominent white V-shaped mark on the back. Juveniles show pale crown stripes and a pinkish breast. Winter plumage is more muted and difficult to identify. Characterized by quick, active movements and a long primary projection beyond the tail.
Identification
Best distinguished from other waders by its extremely small size combined with a fine dark bill, dark legs, and rapid movements. Separated from other dark-legged stints by its fine bill tip, unwebbed toes, and long primary projection. In breeding plumage, the orange breast wash and white V on the back are diagnostic. The call is a sharp 'stit' note. Winter birds are challenging to separate from similar species.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds across arctic Europe and Asia. Long-distance migrant wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia to Thailand. Regular passage migrant through Europe. Vagrant records exist from North America and Australia. Gregarious in winter, forming large flocks with other Calidris waders, especially dunlin, on coastal mudflats and the edges of inland pools.
Behavior & Ecology
Feeds on small invertebrates picked from mud. Nests on a scrape in bare ground, laying 3–5 eggs. Polygamous breeding system where males and females may incubate separate clutches. Highly gregarious in winter, often forming large mixed flocks with other shorebirds. Active and quick-moving when feeding.
Conservation
Protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Population numbers fluctuate in response to lemming population cycles, which influence predation pressure from Arctic predators. No specific population trend data provided.
Culture
No cultural or folklore information provided in the source article.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Genus
- Calidris
- eBird Code
- litsti
Distribution
breeds drier tundra from northern Scandinavia eastward through northern Russia to New Siberian Islands (east-central Siberia); winters mudflats and marshes from southern Europe and Africa eastward to southern Asia
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.