Spotted Redshank

1. Bird Name
The Spotted Redshank, known scientifically as Tringa erythropus, derives from two Greek words: “tringas”, a term Aristotle used for a white-rumped seabird, and “erythopus” which means red foot, aptly describing one of its unique features.

2. Appearance
A versatile bird, the Spotted Redshank changes its coloration through seasons. During winter, they have a pearl-gray plumage making them nearly uniform in color with their white underparts. But in the breeding season, they completely transform, with black feathers densely spotted with white, earning their common name. Their pointed and slightly upturned bill is long, straight, and black. They also have bold red legs and a white rump which is strikingly visible when in flight. There is no significant difference in the physical appearance of both sexes.

3. Size
The Spotted Redshank measures in length from 29–31 cm (11–12 in), with a wingspan reaching between 61–67 cm (24–26 in). Their weight can range from 120-200g.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Spotted Redshank breeds across northern Europe and northern Asia and is a migratory species. They winter in the Mediterranean, the southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and parts of South Asia. Their ideal habitats usually consist of open wetlands such as marshes, mudflats, and flooded fields.

5. Interesting Facts
The Spotted Redshank has the extraordinary habit of flying straight upwards before diving into vegetation when alarmed. They are also known to form large flocks in the non-breeding season, which can consist of over a thousand individuals. Culturally, the bird is celebrated in Swedish folklore, where it’s considered as the first bird of spring and believed to bring good luck.

6. Diet
Nimble and swift, the Spotted Redshank are known for their extensive diet, which includes insects, crustaceans, small fish, and even aquatic plants.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Spotted Redshank is famous for its “tee-oo” call, which is often compared to a high, musical whistle. Their call is predominantly heard during their flight display, which involves a sequence of shallow dives accompanied by their unique sounds. The nest is constructed hastily, where the eggs are usually laid and hidden in vegetation.

8. Conservation Status
As stated by the IUCN Red List, the Spotted Redshank is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’. It is estimated that there are around 140,000-410,000 individuals globally.

9. Lifespan
This bird species can live for approximately ten years in the wild. Captivity figures are not readily available as they are not generally kept in captivity.

10. Additional Notes
In several Nordic languages, the Spotted Redshank is named after its call sound, such as ‘Tjuvipe’ in Norwegian and ‘Tyvjo’ in Danish. This bird has a very specific role in its ecosystem, contributing to the control of invertebrate populations. Due to their habitat choice, they have little interaction with humans unless their nesting area is disturbed. Despite being of ‘Least Concern’, habitat loss due to climate change may pose future challenges for this species.