This small, mottled brown bird migrates annually from north-eastern Siberia to Australia where it occupies freshwater wetlands and coastal areas during the non-breeding season (mid-September to late February). About 40 000 birds arrive in NSW each year. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers can be seen around Sydney Olympic Park at the Waterbird Refuge in Bicentennial Park wetlands, Newington Nature Reserve and Mason Park feeding in shallow water or the mudflats. They feed on aquatic invertebrates and some plant material, often in the company of other shorebirds such as the Curlew Sandpiper. The species is listed on both the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) and the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA).
Listen to the call of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (MP3)
The Sharp -tailed Sandpiper in non breeding plumage and its habitat at Sydney Olympic Park
Northern hemisphere breeding habitat of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Northern Siberia (image Evgeny Syroechkovski)
Print
Email
