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Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calls
Dry 'wit-wit'; also, crackling warbles and musical twitterings.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
18cm
Maximum Size: 
24cm
Average size: 
21cm
Average weight: 
60g
Breeding season: 
Summer non-breeding migrant
Clutch Size: 
Three to four, usually four
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Secure
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Calidris acuminata
Featured bird groups: 
Shore birds and waders
Atlas Number: 
163
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a medium sized wader with a straight black bill that has an olive-grey base. It has a chestnut crown and nape, a white eyebrow, and reddish brown upperparts, with each feather having a black centre. The rump and tail are black, with white outer margins visible in flight. The wings have an indistinct white bar. The breast and flanks are white, streaked and speckled black, with a reddish brown tinge on the chest, grading into a white belly and undertail. The legs are olive. This species is commonly seen with other waders during its migration from northern breeding grounds.

Similar species: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is very similar to most other sandpipers, especially the Pectoral Sandpiper, C. melanotos, but may be distinguished from this species by having no clearcut division between the breast and belly markings, olive (rather than yellow) legs, and a chestnut (rather than dark) head.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a summer migrant from Arctic Siberia, being found on wetlands throughout Australia. It is also found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and New Zealand. It is a vagrant to India, Europe, western North America, Fiji and other parts of the central Pacific region.

Habitat: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper prefers the grassy edges of shallow inland freshwater wetlands. It is also found around swage farms, flooded fields, mudflats, mangroves, rocky shores and beaches. Its breeding habitat in Siberia is the peat-hummock and lichen tundra of the high Arctic.

Seasonal movements: 

Strongly migratory, arriving in Australia in August, returning to Siberia in March, with greatest numbers in south-eastern Australia.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper feeds on aquatic insects and their larvae, as well as worms, molluscs, crustaceans and sometimes, seeds. It is often found in large flocks, often with other waders, foraging in shallow waters.

Breeding: 

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper breeds in the short Siberian summer (June to August). Its nest is a well-hidden shallow hollow on the ground, lined with grass and leaves. The female incubates the eggs and raises the young alone.

References: 
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition
The Shorebirds of Australia.
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