Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii) is a small wading bird from the family Scolopacidae, named after the Dutch ornithologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. Known for its understated plumage and preference for freshwater habitats, Temminck’s Stint breeds in the Arctic regions of Eurasia and migrates to tropical and subtropical regions in the winter.

Physical Description

Size: Temminck’s Stint is a small wader, measuring between 13 and 15 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of 28 to 31 centimetres. It typically weighs between 18 and 30 grams, making it one of the smallest members of the sandpiper family.
Plumage:

• Breeding Plumage: During the breeding season, Temminck’s Stint has a greyish-brown upperpart with fine dark streaks. The underparts are pale, with a subtle buff wash on the breast. The bird’s back feathers may show pale fringes, giving a scaled appearance.
• Non-breeding Plumage: In the non-breeding season, the upperparts become a more uniform grey-brown, and the underparts remain pale. The bird’s plumage becomes more subdued, offering excellent camouflage in its wetland habitats.
  Legs and Bill: The legs are relatively short and yellowish or greenish-yellow, a key feature that distinguishes it from some other small waders. The bill is short, straight, and dark, well-suited for picking small invertebrates from the surface of mud or shallow water.
  Flight: In flight, Temminck’s Stint has a rapid and fluttery wingbeat. The white outer tail feathers, contrasting with the darker central tail feathers, are distinctive and help identify the bird.

Habitat and Distribution

Geographical Range: Temminck’s Stint breeds in the high Arctic regions of Scandinavia, northern Russia, and Siberia, preferring tundra habitats near freshwater ponds and rivers. During the winter, it migrates to a wide range of locations in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula.
Habitat: The bird favours freshwater wetlands, such as marshes, lakeshores, and riverbanks, during both the breeding and wintering seasons. It is often found in areas with muddy or sandy substrates where it can forage for small invertebrates. In the non-breeding season, it may also frequent coastal mudflats and estuaries.

Behaviour

Diet: Temminck’s Stint feeds primarily on insects, larvae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. It uses its short bill to pick prey from the surface or probe shallow mud. The bird’s diet varies with the availability of food in its habitat, but it generally favours small, easily accessible prey.
Foraging: The bird forages alone or in small groups, often in shallow water or on muddy banks. It has a distinctive feeding behaviour, moving quickly and picking at the ground with precision. Temminck’s Stint is known for its habit of bobbing or flicking its tail while feeding, a behaviour that can help in identifying the species.
Vocalisations: The bird’s call is a soft and high-pitched “trr-trr-trr” or “chit-chit,” often heard during flight or when the bird is alarmed. It becomes more vocal during the breeding season, using a variety of calls to communicate with mates and defend territories.

Social Structure

Breeding Behaviour: Temminck’s Stint is a ground-nesting bird, with males establishing territories and performing flight displays to attract females. The display involves a series of fluttering flights and trilling calls, often performed over the nesting area.
Nesting: The nest is a simple scrape on the ground, lined with grass and other plant material. The female typically lays a clutch of 3 to 4 eggs, which are olive or buff-coloured with dark speckles. Both parents share incubation duties, which last for about 21 to 23 days.
Chick Development: The chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching. They are well-camouflaged and able to feed themselves, but the parents remain nearby to protect and guide them. The young fledge at about three weeks old, after which they become more independent.

Migration

Resident and Migratory Behaviour: Temminck’s Stint is a long-distance migrant, with birds travelling thousands of kilometres between their Arctic breeding grounds and tropical wintering areas. Migration occurs in small flocks, and the birds often stop at wetlands along the way to rest and refuel. The timing of migration varies depending on the region, with most birds leaving the breeding grounds in late summer and returning in early spring.

Conservation Status

Temminck’s Stint is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, with stable global populations. However, habitat loss due to wetland drainage, pollution, and human disturbance poses a potential threat to local populations. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, as well as monitoring migratory routes to ensure the bird’s long-term survival.

Similar Species

• Little Stint (Calidris minuta): The Little Stint is similar in size but has dark legs and a more uniform rufous colouring during the breeding season. It also lacks the tail-bobbing behaviour seen in Temminck’s Stint.
• Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos): The Common Sandpiper is larger and has a distinctive white wing-bar in flight. It also has a habit of constantly bobbing its tail, but its overall shape and flight pattern are different.

Importance and Ecological Role

Temminck’s Stint plays an important role in wetland ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and serving as an indicator species for the health of wetland habitats. Its reliance on diverse wetland environments highlights the importance of conserving these areas, both for the bird and for overall biodiversity.

Conclusion

Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii) is a small but remarkable wader, known for its subtle plumage, distinctive behaviour, and impressive migratory journeys. While it is currently not at risk, protecting its wetland habitats is crucial to ensure the continued success of this species. Temminck’s Stint remains a favourite among birdwatchers for its charming tail-flicking behaviour and the challenge it presents in identification.

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