About the Terek Sandpiper
The Terek sandpiper is a small migratory Palearctic wader species and is the only member of the genus Xenus. It is named after the Terek River which flows into the west of the Caspian Sea, as it was first observed around this area.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Slightly larger than the common sandpiper at 22–25 cm (8.7–9.8 in) length, its long upcurved bill – somewhat reminiscent of an avocet's, but not as strongly curved – makes it very distinctive. As the scientific specific name implies, this wader has a grey back, face and breast in all plumages; a white supercilium may appear more or less distinct. The belly is whitish and the feet yellow; the bill has a yellowish base, with the rest being black. The call is a high whistle.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Terek Sandpiper sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Netherlands, Canada, Eswatini, French Guiana, Mexico, Botswana, Cameroon, Tajikistan.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Far Eastern CurlewNumenius madagascariensisThe Far Eastern curlew is a large wader most similar in appearance to the long-billed curlew, but slightly larger.
Broad-billed SandpiperCalidris falcinellusBroad-billed sandpipers are small waders, 16–18 cm long, slightly smaller than the dunlin, but larger than the little stint; it has a longer, straighter bill with the tip distinctly kinked down, and shorter legs than dunlin.
SurfbirdCalidris virgataThe surfbird is a large sandpiper, reminiscent of the turnstones or the great knot.
Learn the Terek Sandpiper for real
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