Red-necked Stint

A sparrow-sized migratory bird.

Scientific name	Calidris ruficollis
English name	Red-necked Stint
Japanese name	当年
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Charadriiformes Scolopacidae
Full length	15cm.
Distribution	Breeds in high latitudes in summer and migrates south to low latitudes and the southern hemisphere in winter. They arrive in Japan as migratory birds in spring and autumn.

Characteristics

A sparrow-sized snipe about 15cm long. Its small size led to its Japanese name "To-nen" meaning "born this year."

Its back is mottled with brown to dark brown feathers, and its underside is white. Its short beak and legs are lead-colored. An unclear brown line runs from the base of its beak to its eyes.

In its summer plumage, its chest and back take on a reddish-brown hue.

Call of the Tounen

It cries "churi, churi" in a small voice.

Ecology

In spring and autumn, they fly to tidal flats, rice fields, rivers, etc. as migratory birds.

They live in groups and feed on small creatures such as worms, insects, and crustaceans in the sand.

Habitat

Tama River midstream

I photographed an individual that had arrived in the midstream of the Tama River in mid-September.

A flock of several birds was foraging in the shallows along the river. They were not very wary of humans, and ran away when a crow approached, looking annoyed.