Tringa totanus - Common Redshank
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.47-1.18 mm). Barbules are divided into pigmented nodes and (partly) pigmented internodes. Concentration and amount of pigment in internodes may vary. Both vase-shaped and slightly thickened nodes are present. Nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (25-28 per mm). Proximal nodes are vase-shaped, they gradually decrease into slightly thickened nodes distally. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Minute prongs may be present along the entire length of barbules, on both sides of the pennulum. These prongs are unequally distributed, and many nodal structures without prongs may be found.
Field characters. Size 28 cm. Weight 129 g (107-152) (Dunning, 1993). Head, chest and upperparts olive-brown, richly marked with dark brown. At closer range, throat and chest paler than upperparts; underparts white with brown streaks on belly and flanks. Legs bright orange, bill is black with orange-yellow base, legs and bill are considerably shorter than in Spotted Redshank. In flight easily recognisable by broad white wing-bar along rear border of wing. In winter markings are similar, but less obvious, and overall colour is more grey-brown; throat and chest paler than during breeding season. On landing often holds wings gracefully upright for a moment; when alarmed, "bobs" head and body.
Voice. Generally noisy; commonest call a rapid, ringing "tyuu-hu-hu" with first syllable longer, louder and higher-pitched than following; alarm-call also regularly heard: a plaintive, stretched "tyuuu". When landing, it utters a long musical yodel "tlootlootloo...".
Distribution. Locally a fairly abundant breeding bird; a partial migrant; common in western coastal countries. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Outside breeding season mainly coastal, preferring tidal estuaries, mudflats and sandy coasts. When breeding, highly tolerant of climatic variation and a broad spectrum of habitats, but most often found on wet habitats such as wet grasslands, moors, coastal saltings, depressions in sand-dunes, and steppe lakes.
Food. Mainly invertebrates such as molluscs, crustaceans and worms, sometimes also insects and small fish. Prey is captured by probing in soil or pecking on ground, or, occasionally, in tidal pools by moving head from side to side with opened bill.