Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

A medium-sized, "pot-bellied" wader (17–22 cm) characterized by a flat-backed profile and a distinctive tapered rear. Non-breeding plumage features mottled grey-brown upperparts, a prominent chestnut crown, a pale eyebrow, and a dark eye-stripe. The breast is washed with buff and finely streaked, blending gradually into a white belly marked with dark, chevron-shaped streaks along the flanks. The bill is dark and straight, while the legs range from olive-green to dull yellow. Juveniles are notably brighter, showing a vivid rufous cap, crisp white mantle stripes, and a rich buff chest. When flushed, it gives a sharp, metallic "whu-it," a reedy "wheep," or a short, rolling "prrt." Highly gregarious, it forms large flocks that forage with a steady, rhythmic probing or picking motion. A common summer visitor across Australia from Siberian breeding grounds, it occupies habitats ranging from coastal mudflats and saltmarshes to inland freshwater wetlands and sewage ponds. It is more likely than other small waders to be seen in flooded paddocks or damp, short grasslands. It is most frequently confused with the Pectoral Sandpiper but is distinguished by its diffused breast markings and flank chevrons; the Pectoral Sandpiper features a sharply defined, horizontal "cutoff" where the streaked breast meets the white belly. Additionally, the Sharp-tailed typically shows a brighter chestnut cap and lacks the Pectoral’s slightly decurved, yellow-based bill. It is also significantly larger and bulkier than the similar-toned Long-toed Stint.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Rich rufous to chestnut crown

   A warm, reddish-brown cap that is often the most striking feature, brightest on juveniles and breeding adults.

2. 02

   V-shaped markings on flanks

   Fine streaking on the breast extends down the flanks, often forming distinct chevron or V-shaped patterns.

3. 03

   Distinct pale supercilium

   Clearly defined pale stripe above the eye, extending behind it, contrasting with the dark eye-stripe and rufous crown.

4. 04

   Olive-yellow to greenish legs

   Legs typically olive-green to dull yellow, a consistent feature across plumages.