Whimbrels, Curlews, Sandpipers & Snipes
Eurasian Whimbrel
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups but can be seen in larger flocks.
Notably smaller than Curlew. Bill is shorter and curves more closer to the tip. Markings on head much more prominent than in Curlew, with double dark lateral crown-stripes (light stripe on top of crown) and dark eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have noticeably shorter bill than adults! Gives an overall darker impression than Curlew, especially underwing and flanks.
Diet
The whimbrel uses its long, curved bill to probe deep in the sand and mud for food. It wades in shallow water in search of crabs, fish, worms and molluscs. It also eats insects, seeds, berries, and leaves.
Longevity record
16 years (A shot bird in the UK, EH 49697)
Usually seen in
March - April, July - September
Occasionally seen in
November - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
37 - 45
78 - 88
305 - 425
Eurasian Curlew
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups.
Biggest wader in area. Differs from Whimbrel in longer bill with a more even curve, only diffuse head markings without crown stripes or marked eye-stripe. Note that young Curlews have much shorter bill than adults. Base of bill pinkish. Plumage gives a paler impression than Whimbrel, with paler underwings and flanks.
Diet
Feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates, but will also pick small crabs and earthworms off the surface.
Longevity record
31 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, FS 40887)
Usually seen in
March - April, October - November
Occasionally seen in
August - September
Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb.
Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb.
Note the very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb. Also note the the eye-stripe does not go beyond the eye and the crown is striped and not dark as in the Whimbrel.
Note a very long bill which is just around three times the length of the Whimbrel's head in juveniles and males. An adult female will have its bill four times its head length as a rule of thumb.
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
48 - 57
89 - 106
415 - 980
Bar-tailed Godwit
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Most likely to be confused with Black-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by plain dark wings, white wedge on back and barred tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally more compact, heavier built and less upright than Black-tailed, and with clearly upcurved bill and shorter legs. Belly always unmarked. Base of bill dark in summer and pinkish in winter and in juveniles. Back with arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter also streaked, and the pale supercilium reaches behind the eye.
Diet
The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for molluscs, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Longevity record
33 years (UK, DS 66532)
Usually seen in
September - October
Occasionally seen in
March - July
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
33 - 41
62 - 72
190 - 400
_JPG.jpg)
Black-tailed Godwit
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Most likely to be confused with Bar-tailed Godwit, but easily recognized in flight by its contrasting black and white wings and tail. More difficult to identify when not flying. Generally much leggier, more elegant and upright than Bar-tailed, and with straighter bill. Tibia especially long. Summer plumage with barred/spotted belly (never in Bar-tailed), and orange base of bill. Juveniles with scaled back, not arrow-shaped streaking. Adult winter with mainly uniformly grey plumage, and short supercilium not reaching behind the eye.
Diet
The bar-tailed godwit eats insects in the summer. Occasionally, it eats seeds and berries. In the winter and during migration, it wades in the water, probing in the mud with its long, thin bill for mollusks, crustaceans, snails, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Longevity record
23 years (Ring read in the field in the UK, EF 90838)
Usually seen in
February - April
Occasionally seen in
January, July - November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
37 - 42
63 - 74
160 - 440
Ruddy Turnstone
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups.
Adults unmistakable. White head with bold black markings and orangely brown back. Even more striking in flight, with white wedge on back, large white patches at base of wings, white wing-bars and black and white tail. Juvenile and winter plumage birds with similar white patches, but with darker head and greyish, dark brown back. Underside always pure white. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with heavy bill and square head.
Diet
Ruddy Turnstones feed primarily on adult and larval flies and midges during the breeding season. They uncover their prey by flipping over rocks, pebbles, shells, or seaweed with their stout, slightly upturned bills. They also eat spiders, beetles, bees, and wasps.
Longevity record
21 years (UK, XS 56243)
Usually seen in
April - May, August - September
Occasionally seen in
June - July, October - December
White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown.
White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown.
White crown but few darker streaks, white nape and collar, rufous back feathers and contrasting black breast indicate an adult in its breeding/summer plumage. But the white on the face and some feathers on the back and upperwings are turning black indicating that this bird is moulting in its winter plumage. In winter all the rufous feathers and the white feathers on its head will turn to darker brown.
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
21 - 24
43 - 49
90 - 130
Red Knot
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in pairs.
Large, stocky Calidris. Easily identified when direct size-comparison with congeners possible. Elongated body shape and short legs. Bill robust, short and straight. Summer plumage: Upperparts speckled in brown and grey, underparts warm rufous brown, like Curlew Sandpiper. Legs dark. Winter- and juvenile plumage: Pale grey upperparts (scaly pattern in juveniles), and white belly. Legs greenish in both juveniles and winter-plumaged adults. Note pale grey rump and uniformly grey tail in flight. Wing-bars less prominent than in Sanderling.
Diet
Crab eggs, molluscs, insects, vegetation and seeds. During their migration and in the winter, the bird feeds on small invertebrates that live in mud, such as small molluscs, marine worms and crustaceans.
Longevity record
26 years , 8 months (Read in the field in the UK, CE 25745)
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
May, August - September
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
23 - 26
47 - 53
98 - 122
Ruff
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups.
A relatively large wader with long orange or greenish (juveniles) legs. Scaly back and medium long, slightly curved and heavy bill. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with ruff in various colours and patterns. Characteristic upright posture and body shape with long neck, small head and humped back. Conspicuous white oval patches at upper base of tail. Notable difference in size between sexes (male largest). Often seen feeding in meadows and fields when away from breeding ground.
Diet
Mostly eats insects, especially flies, beetles, caddisflies. Also eats small molluscs, crustaceans, spiders, worms, small fish and frogs.
Longevity record
13 years , 11 months (Accident trapped in a fishnet in Finland,AT-8167)
Usually seen in
March - June, August - October
Occasionally seen in
July, December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
25 - 34
46 - 60
85 - 242
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
A vagrant species which was always seen individually.
Can be mistaken for a Dunlin but differs in characteristic double supercilium, unmarked belly and shorter legs. Bill is thicker, almost swollen at base, and more distinctly bent at tip. Overall impression much more contrasty than Dunlin. Winter plumage with dark centres of tertials, and finely striped crown. Juveniles with white V-shaped markings on back, similar to Little Stint. Wing bars and tail markings resembles Dunlin in flight. Moves relatively slow when feeding.
Distinct contact call. A trilling "drrroiiit" with a peculiar timbre, ending with a rapid rise of pitch. Song often preceded by the contact call, which then fuses into a continuous vibrating trill.
Diet
Mostly eats insects, especially flies, beetles, caddisflies. Also eats small molluscs, crustaceans and worms.
Longevity record
>6 years , 10 months (Controlled by ringer in Sweden, 3386241)
Begazzina ta' Munqarha
Calidris falcinellus
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
August
Occasionally seen in
January, March, May, June
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
16 - 17
37 - 39
40 - 59
Curlew Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small groups.
Summer plumage: Warm, rufous brown below like Knot, but much smaller. Bill curved and much longer, and appearance more long-legged. Winter and juvenile plumage grey above and pale below. Differs from Dunlin in slightly longer legs and bill, more pronounced supercilium, no black patches on belly (some rufous summer feathers may show when moulting) and more upright stance. Juveniles with buff-pinkish tone to breast, and scaly upperparts. Always distinct in all plumages when flying, due to bright white and crescent-shaped rump-patch.
Diet
Feeds on crustaceans (amphipods and shrimps), molluscs, marine worms and insects (mainly flies and beetles). Insects are the main part of the diet during the breeding season.
Longevity record
19 years 8 months (A shot bird in Finland, PT-30356)
Usually seen in
April - May
Occasionally seen in
July - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Neck, breast and belly turning into purple brown as in the summer/breeding plumage.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
19 - 22
38 - 41
43 - 67
Temminck's Stint
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
A small wader with yellowish legs and short, almost straight, dark bill with pale base. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter and straighter bill. Similar in size to Little Stint, but legs light yellowish, tail longer with white edges and markings on back quite plain. Clear divide between markings of breast and white underparts. Juveniles with prominent scale-pattern on back. Upperparts of adults in winter plumage more evenly grey, lacking the star shaped spots of summer. Prefers fresh or brackish waters, even on migration.
Diet
They mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates.
Longevity record
14 years 11 months (Read in the field in Finland, X-509990)
Tertuxa Griża
Calidris temminckii
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
May - September
Occasionally seen in
April, October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Rufous brown edges on some feathers on the back indicate an adult in summer plumage.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
13 - 15
34 - 37
20 - 31
Sanderling
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in very small groups.
An energetic, stocky and robust wader. Black legs and bill. Black wing-bend (not always visible), and broad white wing-bars framed in black. Summer plumage with rufous head and back. Winter and juvenile plumaged birds gives a much whiter impression than all congeners, with light grey upperparts and pure white underside. Juveniles with star-shaped, black markings on back. Lacks hind toe.
Diet
Feeds on a wide variety of small creatures on beach, including sand crabs, amphipods, isopods, insects, marine worms, small molluscs; also may eat some carrion. Wintering birds on southern coasts may eat corn chips and other junk food left by people.
Longevity record
18 years 7 months (UK, BB 52147)
Pispisella Bajda
Calidris alba
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
May
Occasionally seen in
April, August - October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Note the few rufous feathers on the head and neck are moulting away and fresh grey feathers on the saddle and upperwings are emerging. Since this photo was taken in August it means that the bird is moulting to its winter plumage. Winter birds will have a pale grey crown and saddle.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
18 - 21
35 - 39
50 - 60
Dunlin
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in very small groups.
Only small wader in the region with a dark or spotted belly. Bill quite long with slightly curved tip. Legs dark. Summer plumage with unmistakable large black patch on belly, and variable warm, rufous brown back. Juveniles and moulting adults usually shows at least some diagnostic dark spots on belly in contrast to white flanks. White V-shaped markings on back, but not as striking as in juvenile Little Stint. Only adults in winter plumage shows completely white underparts (and uniformly grey back).
Diet
The Dunlin eats insects and larvae, marine worms, small crustaceans, snails and small fish. Sometimes it is called the "sewing machine" because of the way it bobs its head up and down and pokes into the ground when it probes for food.
Longevity record
28 years 10 months (Denmark, 807017)
Usually seen in
March - May, July - October
Occasionally seen in
June
Click on the image to open slideshow
In winter plumage the saddle, crown and upperwings are grey. The breast will be full white and no black streaks are present on the head and chest.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
17 - 21
32 - 36
35 - 62
Purple Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
A vagrant species which was always seen individually.
Robust, compact and dark wader, with relatively long and slightly curved bill. Mostly seen at the coast where it prefers rocky surfaces as opposed to most other waders. In winter plumage the base of bill and legs are yellow, and the upperparts grey with dark markings. Breeds in high Arctic and mountains. Summer plumage darker than winter, with brown fringes/spots on back, and darker bill and legs. Similar wing and rump pattern to Dunlin, but appears overall darker. Tail extends beyond wing tips of resting birds. Flight patterns at wintering grounds straight and low.
Contact call a hoarse and hard "weet". Sometimes in chattering series. Song quite varied with series of short, nasal, vibrating sounds, interspersed with drawn out, slower calls.
Diet
These birds forage on rocky coasts, picking up food by sight. They mainly eat arthropods and molluscs, mainly littorinids and mussels, also some plant material. One of the main staples are seaweed flies of the Coelopa genera.
Longevity record
20 years 9 months (Controlled by ringer in Sweden, 4235212)
Begazzina tan-Nord
Calidris maritima
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
May - June, November - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
20 - 22
42 - 46
52 - 80
Pictures taken abroad
Little Stint
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in very small groups.
A small compact wader with dark legs and short, almost straight dark bill. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter, and straighter bill. Similar in size to Temminck's Stint, but legs dark, tail shorter (and grey) and markings on back less plain. Juveniles with prominent white V on back, and split white supercilium. Upperparts of adults rufous brown in summer, and light grey in winter.
Diet
Mainly insects but also crustaceans and molluscs.
Longevity record
14 years 8 months (Found dead in the Czech Republic, RX 17327)
Usually seen in
March - November
Occasionally seen in
December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles.
Buff on chest with black streaks indicative in adults. Head and back not so much rufous meaning that it is moulting to a winter plumage.
Pale hind neck, white stripes on back, white chin and breast with no black streakes and pale broad edges on upperwing feathers typical in juveniles.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
14 - 15.5
27 - 30
20 - 30
Terek Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Slightly larger than the common sandpiper in length, its long upcurved bill – somewhat reminiscent of an avocet's, but not as strongly curved – makes it very distinctive. As the scientific specific name implies, this wader has a grey back, face and breast in all plumages; a white supercilium may appear more or less distinct. The belly is whitish and the feet yellow; the bill has a yellowish base, with the rest being black
Diet
Terek Sandpipers feed busily, walking briskly pecking at the surface or probing in shallow water, on soft wet intertidal mudflats. They eat crustaceans and insects, adding seeds, molluscs and spiders in their breeding grounds.
Longevity record
16 years (Finland, AT-73914)
Bgazzina tax-Xifa
Xenus cinereus
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Vagrant
Usually seen in
-
Occasionally seen in
May - June, August
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
22 - 25
57 - 59
60 - 78
Common Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually and in small groups.
A small, active and quick wader. Most easily identified in the field by it's behaviour and sound. Most distinct plumage feature is the white wedge in front of the wings at the sides of the breast. Body is elongated and legs fairly short and greenish. Constantly bobs body and head. In flight the dark rump and white wing-bars are obvious. Often flickers its wings when flying low above water, especially just before landing. In flight, common sandpipers have a stiff-winged style and typically stay close to the water or ground.
Sex cannot be distinguished from the plumage but only from the body size. Birds with a wing shorter than 111 mm are males and those with a wing longer than 117 mm are females. Anything in between can either be a male or a female. In order to have a 95% probably right guess of a bird's sex, one has also to take into consideration the tarsus and toe together with the wing measurements.
Diet
Sandpipers are ground feeders that dine on crustaceans, insects, worms, and other coastal creatures. They retrieve them by meticulously pecking and probing with their short bills.
Longevity record
14 years 6 months (Found dead in Sweden, 3189307)
Usually seen in
March - May, July - October
Occasionally seen in
all other months
Click on the image to open slideshow
Note pale feather tips and chest side buff without black streaks in juveniles.
Note there are no pale feather tips present and black streaks on the side chests indicative of an adult. Winter birds will have the brown buffs on the sides of the chest paler than in summer.
Note the pale feather tips on the upperwings forming a yellowish stripe. Also side of chest buff is without black streaks in juveniles.
Note pale feather tips and chest side buff without black streaks in juveniles.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
18 - 20.5
32 - 35
41 - 56
Green Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually and in small groups but occasionally in larger flocks
A dark, often secretive, wader. Quite similar to Wood Sandpiper, but differs in dark underwings, only small white spots on back, defined border between speckled chest and white belly, broad dark markings on tail and a supercilium that does not reach behind eye. Leaves an overall much darker impression than Wood Sandpiper. Particularly in flight.
Diet
Nymphs, bugs and larva of caddis-flies and true-flies.
Longevity record
11 years 6 months (UK, CR 63312)
Swejda
Tringa ochropus
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Scarce
Usually seen in
February - May, July - October
Occasionally seen in
January, June
Click on the image to open slideshow
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
20 - 24
39 - 44
75 - 85
Spotted Redshank
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Unmistakable in breeding plumage, with all dark/blackish body unique among Tringas. Most birds seen in Europe will probably be in winter- or juvenile plumage, and can then be mistaken for Redshanks. Spotted Redshanks are slimmer, longer legged and more elegant than Redshanks. The supercilium is much more prominent, the bill is slimmer and longer. Most diagnostic is the lack of white wing-bars, and the white cigar-shaped patch on the back. The barring in juveniles reaches from the belly and all the way back to the vent. Often feeds in deeper water than Redshanks, even by swimming and upending.
Diet
Insect larvae, shrimps, small fish and worms.
Longevity record
8 years 7 months (Shot bird in Finland, B-70005)
Ċuvett
Tringa erythropus
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Rare
Usually seen in
April - May, July - September
Occasionally seen in
March, October
Click on the image to open slideshow
Legs are still orange and crown and hind neck grey as in winter. Upperwings are getting darker indicating a process to summer moult.
Legs are still orange and crown and hind neck grey as in winter. Upperwings are getting darker indicating a process to summer moult.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
29 - 33
59 - 66
125 - 160
Common Greenshank
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Large Tringa with upcurved bill. The mainly white and pale grey plumage (and head) gives it a pale appearance. Upper parts speckled in black in summer plumage. Upper side of wings rather dark, back lighter grey with conspicuous long white wedge. Tail white, with diffuse grey barring. Back of juveniles with v-shaped scales/fringes. Legs greenish to grey-green. Wing beats quite deep and sometimes with "slow motion" like quality.
Diet
Greenshanks eat insects, worms, molluscs, small fish and crustaceans, feeding both by day and night. They feed by picking from the surface, probing, sweeping and lunging at the edges of mudflats or shallows. They may walk along the shoreline and even chase small fish in the shallow water.
Longevity record
24 years 5 months (Netherlands, 2040963)
Usually seen in
March , August - October
Occasionally seen in
April - June, November
Click on the image to open slideshow
Grey/green legs and back pattern is more uniform in winter adults.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
30 - 34
55 - 62
155 - 210
Common Redshank
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Adults differ from most other waders by bright red legs. Large white rectangular patches on secondaries conspicuous in flight in all plumages. Spotted redshanks in winter- or juvenile plumage lacks white wing bars, are more elegant with a more slender bill, and shows a stronger dark eye-stripe and white supercilium. Juvenile Redshanks are unevenly, and sparsely spotted below from the legs to the vent, as opposed to the barring of juvenile Spotted Redshanks. Leg colour in juveniles often dull yellowish. Flanks evenly spotted. Winter plumage with brownish upperparts.
Diet
The Common Redshank feeds mainly on insects, spiders and worms. Outside the breeding season, the bird feeds on molluscs and crustaceans, but also on small fish and tadpoles. Its feeding behaviour depends on the season.
Longevity record
26 years 11 months (Found dead in Denmark, 721125)
Pluverott / Pluvirott
Tringa totanus
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
June - August
Occasionally seen in
November - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers.
Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers.
Heavy black streaks on neck, breast and belly in adults. In juveniles these streaks will form parallel stripes. Adults also have an orange base on the bill. The back and upperwings are non-uniform (dirty) having black broad streaks on grey feathers.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
24 - 27
47 - 53
92 - 127
_JPG.jpg)
Wood Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually or in small flocks.
An energetic, small tringa wader. Most similar to Green Sandpiper. Differs by light underwings, larger white spots on back, diffuse border between speckled chest and white belly, narrower dark markings on tail and a supercilium that reaches behind eye. Plumage leaves an overall much paler impression than Green Sandpiper, particularly in flight.
Diet
Wood Sandpipers feed mainly on aquatic insects and their larvae and molluscs in moist or dry mud. They high-step daintily through shallow water, probing in mud or picking at the surface. They also swim well and may feed by sweeping their bill from side to side under water.
Longevity record
11 years 8 months (Shot in Sweden, 4035425)
Usually seen in
March - May, July - October
Occasionally seen in
June, November - December
Click on the image to open slideshow
Prominent white spots on back and heavily streaked crown, neck and breast in adults. Flanks are also barred in adults.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
18.5 - 21
35 - 39
50 - 70
Marsh Sandpiper
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups.
Small, but tall and elegant Tringa. Body the size of Wood Sandpiper, but stands as tall as Greenshank. Tibia especially long. The needle-like, straight bill adds to the elegance. Pale face, especially at base of bill. Back grey in adults, with star-shaped speckles in summer and narrow, pale fringes in winter. Immatures with broader fringes and overall darker upperparts. In flight the long legs trails far behind the tail, and the narrow white wedge on the back is conspicuous. Wings are dark with no bars, and shows as the darkest part of the bird also when on ground (especially in adults). Surprisingly quick and easy take-off. Posture generally erect and tall, particularly when nervous.
Diet
Marsh Sandpipers eat aquatic insects, larvae, molluscs and crustaceans. They feed by wading briskly in shallow water, pecking from the surface or sometimes sweeping the bill from side to side. They may wade deeper and feel for prey.
Longevity record
7 years 1 months (A shot bird in France, GA 84137)
Ċewċewwa Żgħira
Tringa stagnatilis
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Very scarce
Usually seen in
March - May
Occasionally seen in
June - September
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The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks.
The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks.
The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks.
The black streaks on the upperwings are moulted during the summer plumage of adult birds. Summer birds will also have dark streaks on the crown, chin, neck and flanks.
Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
22 - 25
55 - 59
43 - 120
Eurasian Woodcock
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two or even three birds.
Large and stocky wader, which is flushed from undergrowth in very close proximity. More often seen in display flight than on ground. Crown crossed with diagnostic broad bars, unlike any snipe. Base of tail warm, rufous brown. Wings rounded and broad. Flies with bill pointed downwards in an angle. Usually lands quickly after being flushed with characteristic abrupt and sudden drop into undergrowth
Diet
Eurasian woodcock forage in soft soil in thickets, usually well hidden from sight. They mainly eat earthworms, but also insects and their larvae, freshwater molluscs and some plant seeds.
Longevity record
15 years 8 months (A shot bird in the UK, R 4516)
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
September, January - April
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Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
33 - 38
55 - 65
225 - 370
Great Snipe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in groups of two.
Underparts almost completely barred. Prominent white edges to primary and secondary coverts. Shorter bill than Common Snipe, with stockier body, but slightly longer wings and legs. Less obvious trailing white edge to secondaries in flight. Corners of tail white (obvious when landing). Usually flies only a short distance and in a straight line after being flushed. Bill held in straighter angle than Snipe in flight.
Diet
A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers.
Longevity record
5 years 11 months (Sweden, 5127024)
Bekkaċċ ta' Mejju / Bukkaċċ Kbir
Gallinago media
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Rare
Usually seen in
May
Occasionally seen in
April
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Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
26 - 30
43 - 50
140 - 260
Common Snipe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually but can be seen in small groups.
By far the most common snipe in most areas. Bill longer than congeners. Belly white, in contrast to barred flanks. Upperparts of wings with white trailing edge, underparts with white wingbars. Longitudinal crown stripe. Diagnostic escape flight when flushed, with zig-zag change of direction, characteristic call and long period of circling the area before landing (or leaving altogether).
Diet
A specially adapted bill enables this bird to efficiently grasp and consume small creatures, such as worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small amphibians without stopping to remove its bill from the mud. It also eats berries, seeds, and plant fibers.
Longevity record
16 years 3 months (A shot bird in Sweden, 4104395)
Bekkaċċ / Bukkaċċ tan-Nofs
Gallinago gallinago
Charadriiformes
Scolopacidae
Fairly common
Usually seen in
April - May, September - December
Occasionally seen in
January - March
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Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
23 - 28
39 - 45
78 - 105
Jack Snipe
Maltese name/s
Scientific binomen
Order
Family
Sighting occurrence
Info*
Usually seen individually.
Notably smaller, darker and with shorter bill than Common Snipe. Two prominent yellowish back-stripes. Dark wedge-shaped tail, and slightly rounded wings. Lacks median crown-stripe. Flanks spotted, not barred. Usually flushed only at close range. Takes off silently, then quickly lands nearby. Whole body bounces rhythmically when feeding.
Diet
They mainly eat insects and earthworms, also plant material.
Longevity record
12 years 4 months (A shot bird in Germany, 7170838)
Usually seen in
October - December
Occasionally seen in
January - April
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Length (cm):
Wingspan (cm):
Weight (g):
18 - 20
33 - 36
50 - 85
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*Some information was sourced from ''BirdID Nord University''.