Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
Only small wader in the region with a dark or spotted belly. Most common small wader in area, and an important reference species when identifying congeners. Bill quite long with slightly curved tip. Legs dark. Summer plumage with unmistakable large black patch on belly, and variable warm, rufous brown back. Juveniles and moulting adults usually shows at least some diagnostic dark spots on belly in contrast to white flanks. White V-shaped markings on back, but not as striking as in juvenile Little Stint. Only adults in winter plumage shows completely white underparts (and uniformly grey back).
Sound:Contact call a diagnostic, very nasal "trrreeet" . Given throughout the year and in many situations, including when being flushed. Song: A drawn out, nasal "tweeet", and ringing variations on the contact call in decrescendo. Low chattering heard from feeding birds.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSeldom seen, often heard. Very small, compact bird with secretive behaviour. Heavily striated brown upperparts and paler belly. Males with black throat or black throat-band. Only the male shows different pale or rufous morphs. Appears long-winged when flying, with a straight and low line of flight.
Sound:Song a very characteristic, short, tri-syllabic whistling, with each syllable ending with a sharp rise in pitch "weet weet-weet". The two last syllable linked together. Other sounds: A nasal disyllabic mewing "mau-au", and a wader-like rolling "wreee".
Song:
Distribution:
Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC