Terek Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Xenus cinereus
At a Glance
An odd shorebird from Eurasia with short legs and a long, upcurved bill. On a mudflat with other sandpipers, the Terek often draws attention by its animated behavior, running about more actively than the other birds. It occurs in small numbers in western Alaska during migration, occasionally in flocks.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Sandpiper-like Birds, Sandpipers
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Saltwater Wetlands, Tundra and Boreal Habitats
Region
Alaska and The North
Behavior
Direct Flight, Rapid Wingbeats, Running
Range & Identification
Description
10" (25.5 cm). Odd bill shape: long, rather thick, slightly upcurved. Short yellow-orange legs. Plain gray-brown above, usually with dark line above wings.
Size
About the size of a Robin
Color
Brown, Gray, Orange, White
Wing Shape
Long, Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
A rolling series of shrill whistles.
Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Terek Sandpiper