Wildlifeof China
Terek Sandpiper
Shorebirds
Photo: Kim, Hyun-tae · CC BY 4.0
Xenus cinereus
Basic stats
Habitat
Breeds near water in the taiga; prefers muddy areas in winter
Range
Breeds from Finland through northern Siberia to the Kolyma River; winters on tropical coasts of east Africa, south Asia and Australia
Clutch size
3–4 eggs in a lined ground scrape
Size
22–25cm
The Terek sandpiper is a small migratory Palearctic wader and the only member of its genus. It is slightly larger than the common sandpiper at 22–25cm, with a long, upcurved bill reminiscent of an avocet's but less strongly curved, which makes it very distinctive. It has a grey back, face and breast in all plumages, a whitish belly, yellow feet and a yellowish bill base with the rest black (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds near water in the taiga from Finland through northern Siberia to the Kolyma River, laying three or four eggs in a lined ground scrape. It migrates south in winter to tropical coasts in east Africa, south Asia and Australia, usually preferring muddy areas. The call is a high whistle (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Terek Sandpiper live in?
- Breeds near water in the taiga; prefers muddy areas in winter
- Where is the Terek Sandpiper found?
- Breeds from Finland through northern Siberia to the Kolyma River; winters on tropical coasts of east Africa, south Asia and Australia
- How many eggs does the Terek Sandpiper lay?
- 3–4 eggs in a lined ground scrape
- How big is the Terek Sandpiper?
- 22–25cm