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Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) Alternate name(s): "Sharp-tailed Stint", "Siberian Sandpiper" Size: 17-20 cm; wing span 42-48 cm Body mass: 65-134 g (male), 65-112 g (female) Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.31/0.61 (male, lean/fat), 0.31/0.55 (female, lean/fat)

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are small waders. Their plumage is highly cryptic. During the breeding season they have a rufous chest, creamy upper belly and white lower belly, flanks, vent and undertail coverts. The chest and flanks are patterned with dark-brown chevrons. The throat is white and lightly streaked dark-brown. They have a brown eye stripe, whitish eyebrows and a rich chestnut crown with dark-brown streaking. The back is dark-brown, with lighter brown edge lining on all feathers. During the non-breeding season the colours are duller in general. The front is striated where it was chevron-patterned during the breeding season and the back is almost all grey, rather than brown. In-flight they have an indistinct wing bar. The eyes have dark irises. The dark-grey bill is straight and about as long as the size of the head. The legs and feet are greyish-yellow. In flight the feet protrude slightly beyond the tail. Juveniles have a prominent rufous chest band and flanks, which are lightly striated brown. The striation does not reach as far down the sides as in adults. Twitcher's tip Compared with Pectoral Sandpipers, they have a chestnut crown with darker brown streaks, not white with dark-grey streaking. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers have a straight bill, while Pectoral Sandpipers have a slightly downcurved bill. Compared with Wood Sandpipers, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are scalloped and/or streaked, but not spotted. Various species of stints, which can also have brownish chests, are visibly smaller. The correct identification of waders ("shorebirds"), e.g. of the Calidris, Tringa, Actitis and related families or of the Charadrius, Pluvialis and related genera in the field can be quite tricky. We have therefore made an attempt to give some advice HERE.

Taxonomy, classification See Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is available HERE . Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are strongly migratory. They breed preferably in water-logged tundra in north-eastern Asia and spend the northern winters in South-east Asia or Australasia. In Australia Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are non-breeding migrants from the North that populate mostly the south-eastern quarter of the Australian continent (NSW, VIC and eastern SA) and the south-western corner of WA. They can occasionally be found anywhere in between, including - after significant rainfall - all across the interior of the continent. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers can be found in various types of wetlands, in both freshwater and saltwater environments, including ephemeral wetlands and ephemeral lakes.

Sightings Click here for sighting information A flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers was first seen by us in ephemeral wetlands 20 km South of Walgett, NSW, in April 2009. There were about 20-30 birds, which stuck together as a flock while feeding. Also when disturbed, they regrouped to stay in close proximity of each other. Since then Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are found by us semi-regularly in various types of wetlands in inland NSW and regularly by C. Hayne within the Gwydir Watercourse Wetlands, West of Moree. Usually, flocks of tens of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are found, with a maximum of about 100 birds. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers appear in lakes (such as e.g. Narrabri Lake), ephemeral lakes (including, e.g., Goran Lake), ephemeral wetlands (e.g. flooded paddocks and fallow fields), irrigation dams and smaller farm dams of inland NSW. 50+ Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were found by C. Hayne in coastal habitats at Lake Chickiba, Ballina, NSW, in December 2012 and 20 on the beach at Skennars Head in December 2012. In October 2013, B. Hensen reports seeing Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW. M. Eaton reports finding Sharp-tailed Sandpipers semi-regularly in various (near-)coastal wetlands in south-eastern QLD. R. Plumtree reports spotting Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at Hollands Landing, Lake Victoria, East Gippsland, VIC, in October 2014. R. Plumtree also spotted Sharp-tailed Sandpipers near Eromanga, in outback QLD, in September 2018. About 50 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were found by us at Dangars Lagoon, near Uralla, NSW, in October 2018. We also found a small mob of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in an ephemeral wetland ca. 40 km South of Mungindi, NSW, in February 2023. J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours reports spotting Sharp-tailed Sandpipers repeatedly at the Esplanade, Cairns, QLD.

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

BREEDING

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, October 2013]

NON-BREEDING

Frontal view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in transitional plumage
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Frontal view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in transitional plumage
[Dangars Lagoon, near Urulla, NSW, October 2018]

Near-lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in transitional plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, January 2023]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in transitional plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, February 2019]

Frontal view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, November 2018]

Frontal/near-lateral views of a Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in near-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Georgina River, Camooweal, QLD, September 2019]

Close-up lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, January 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage; note the streaking on the undertail coverts
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, December 2018]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, QLD, November 2018]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in transitional plumage
[Dangars Lagoon, near Urulla, NSW, October 2018]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage; note the grey appearance of this specimen compared to others
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, January 2016]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wynnum, QLD, December 2017]

Lateral view of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in non-breeding plumage
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW, January 2022]

Lateral view of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in non-breeding plumage
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW, January 2022]

Small flock of waders in non-breeding plumage on the shore of an ephemeral lake; most of them are Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, with 3 Curlew Sandpipers (down-curved black bill, black legs)
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW, January 2022]

Lateral view of a small flock of waders in non-breeding plumage on the shore of an ephemeral lake; most of them are Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, with 3 Curlew Sandpipers (down-curved black bill, black legs)
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW, January 2022]

Flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Clarendon, Gatton, QLD, January 2018]

Dorsal view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage; note the streaking on the undertail coverts
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, December 2018]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage in flight
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, January 2016]

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage next to a Pied Stilt (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gold Scrub Lane, Lake Samsonvale, QLD, December 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Adult, non-breeding (centre and right) and juvenile (left) Sharp-tailed Sandpipers on the muddy shore of an ephemeral lake
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Lateral view of a juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper sifting through mud and water
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Lateral view of a juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper with mud stuck to its bill
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper with mud stuck to its bill
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2013]

Near-lateral view of two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in a small flock, together with Red-capped Plovers and Red-necked Stints
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2012]

Part of a flock of 120 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers on the bank of an ephemeral lake
[Goran Lake, NSW, April 2013]

Two out of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers on the edge of an ephemeral wetland (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Lateral view of two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in flight
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2012]

Lateral view of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in flight in a small flock, together with Red-capped Plovers and Red-necked Stints
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2012]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Migratory

Elementary unit: Mob/flock

While overwintering in Australia, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are often observed by us in flocks, with up to about 100 birds at a time.

Close-up view of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers on the shore of an ephemeral lake
[Goran Lake, NSW, December 2023]

Lateral view of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in flight above an ephemeral lake
[Goran Lake, NSW, December 2023]

Lateral view of a small flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in flight, seen against the light of the rising sun
[Goran Lake, NSW, December 2023]

Lateral view of a small mob of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in non- breeding plumage in shallow water in an ephemeral wetland
[40 km South of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]

The photo below shows that Sharp-tailed Sandpipers can sometimes also be found in man-made habitats, in this case lawn on a golf course.

Lateral view of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in breeding plumage on a golf course (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, October 2013]

Does oppressive tropical heat make birds aggressive? On the same day, at the same place, B. Hensen observed both Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Wood Sandpipers fighting.

Juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers fighting: "What 'My feeding ground'?!" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers fighting: "What 'My feeding ground'?!" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers fighting: "I'll show you!" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers fighting: "Get that into you!" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[McMinns Lagoon, near Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

stspipe_20140315.mp3

(NW NSW)

Warning/departure

© MD

We have also been able to record the wing beats of a flock of about 50 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers careening past the shore of a lake.

stspipe_20231227.m4a

(NW NSW)

Weaving in unison

© MD

More Sharp-tailed Sandpiper sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.