Charadriiformes / Scolopacidae / Tringa
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus · 红脚鹬
Introduction
A Eurasian wader in the family Scolopacidae, formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It breeds across temperate Eurasia and migrates to wintering grounds in Africa, South Asia, and southern Europe. The species nests in wetlands, often at high densities, and is known for its loud piping call that alerts other birds. It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
Description
In breeding plumage, the bird is marbled brown, slightly lighter below. In winter, it becomes plain greyish-brown above and whitish below with less pattern. It features red legs and a red bill with a black tip. In flight, white patches are visible on the back and wings.
Identification
Distinguished by red legs and a black-tipped red bill. Shows white up the back and on wings in flight. Smaller than the common greenshank. Distinct from the spotted redshank, which has a longer bill and legs and is almost entirely black in breeding plumage. Closely related to the marsh sandpiper and wood sandpiper, sharing traits of red or yellowish legs and subdued light brown breeding plumage with diffuse spots.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds across temperate Eurasia, including Iceland, the Faroe Islands, west and north Europe, Siberia, Mongolia, east Asia, Manchuria, northwest China, Tajikistan, north India, and Tibet. Migratory, wintering on coasts around the Mediterranean, Atlantic coast of Europe from Ireland and Great Britain southwards, Africa, India, Indonesia, southeast Asia, and the Malay Peninsula. Uncommon vagrant to Micronesia (Palau), North America, the Caribbean (Guadeloupe), and South America (primarily Brazil, with a record in Colombia).
Behavior & Ecology
Wary and noisy, emitting a loud piping call that alerts other species. Nests in various wetlands, from damp meadows to saltmarsh, often at high densities. Lays 3–5 eggs. Feeds on small invertebrates.
Conservation
Not considered a threatened species by the IUCN due to wide distribution and plentiful numbers in some regions. Included in the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Genus
- Tringa
Subspecies (6)
-
Tringa totanus craggi
breeds northwestern China (northwestern Xinjiang); winter grounds unknown
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.
