24-4-2019 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus)

The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is a wader (shorebird) in the large bird family Scolopacidae. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific erythropus is from Ancient Greek eruthros, "red", and pous, "foot".

Like most waders, it feeds on small invertebrates.

The spotted redshank breeds in the Arctic across much of the Palearctic, from Lapland in the west to Chukotskaya in the east.

It nests on open boggy taiga, laying four eggs in a ground scrape. For breeding the bird moults to a black to dark grey with white spots. During breeding plumage the legs also turn a dark grey.

The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is a wader (shorebird) in the large bird family Scolopacidae. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific erythropus is from Ancient Greek eruthros, "red", and pous, "foot".

It breeds across northern Scandinavia and the northern Palearctic and migrates south to the Mediterranean, the southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia for the winter. It is an occasional vagrant to Australia and North America.

This is a large wader (shorebird), measuring 29–31 cm (11–12 in) long,[nb 1] with a wingspan of 61–67 cm (24–26 in) and a weight ranging from 121 to 205 g (4.3 to 7.2 oz).[10] It is black in breeding plumage, and very pale in winter. It has a red legs and bill, and shows a white oval on the back in flight. Juveniles are grey-brown finely speckled white above, and have pale, finely barred underparts. Adults moult completely between July and October. In spring, the body plumage is moulted between March and May. Juveniles have a partial moult between August and February. The call is a creaking whistle teu-it (somewhat similar to the call of a roseate tern), the alarm call a kyip-kyip-kyip.

The Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus, is a striking wader belonging to the family Scolopacidae. This elegant bird is characterized by its long, slender legs and bill, both of which are a vivid red in breeding plumage. Adults transform from a sleek black during the breeding season to a very pale grey in winter. A distinctive white oval on the back is visible in flight, and juveniles can be recognized by their grey-brown speckled white upperparts and finely barred underparts.

When identifying the Spotted Redshank, look for its long red legs and bill, particularly during the breeding season. In flight, the white oval on the back is a key feature. The bird measures 29–31 cm in length, with a wingspan of 61–67 cm, and weighs between 121 to 205 grams. The transformation from black breeding plumage to pale winter plumage is quite dramatic, making seasonal identification an intriguing challenge.

The Spotted Redshank breeds in the Arctic expanses of the Palearctic, favoring open boggy taiga. Its preference for such remote and undisturbed habitats is a testament to its wild nature.

This bird has a broad breeding range across northern Scandinavia and the northern Palearctic. It migrates southwards to winter in warmer climes, including the Mediterranean, southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia. It is also known to be an occasional vagrant to Australia and North America.

The Spotted Redshank is a migratory species, undertaking long journeys between its breeding and wintering grounds. It is also known for its complete moult between July and October, and a spring moult of body plumage between March and May. Juveniles undergo a partial moult from August to February.

The Spotted Redshank's call is a distinctive creaking whistle, reminiscent of 'teu-it', somewhat akin to the call of a roseate tern. When alarmed, it emits a 'kyip-kyip-kyip' sound.

During the breeding season, the Spotted Redshank adopts a dramatic black to dark grey plumage with white spots, and even its legs turn a dark grey. It nests on the open boggy taiga, laying four eggs in a simple ground scrape.