Sharp-tailed SandpiperSharp-tailed Sandpiper – water

A member of the wader group of birds (of the order Charadriiformes), the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) migrate to Australia from the tundra of the Arctic Siberia and northeast Asia.

This migratory wader seem to prefer the grassy edges of shallow inland freshwater wetlands, mudflats, mangroves and even sewage farms.

A medium sized sandpiper, they have a distinct cap. The breeding adults have a rich chestnut brown cap and white eyeing, with heavily marked chevrons and spots on the underparts. They have dull greenish legs with a variable paler colour at the base of their dark bill.

The non-breeding adults have a duller grey-brown upper plumage, with a dull brown cap. The juveniles have a bright cap, a plain buffy breast, and contrasting white eyeline.

Common name
Asiatic Knot, Asiatic Pectoral Sandpiper, Siberian Knot, Siberian Pectoral Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Sharpie.

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper are often seen wading and foraging with other species of wading birds.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Charadriiformes
  • Family: Scolopacidae
  • Genus: Calidris
  • Species: Calidris acuminata

Sharp-tailed SandpiperSharp-tailed Sandpiper – water

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