A small, captivating bird that catches the eye with one of the most unusual beaks in the bird world. This beak is shaped like a spoon, broad and flattened at the tip, which makes it perfect for scooping up small creatures from the mudflats where it feeds. Native to the coastal regions of northeastern Russia, this bird is a migratory species that travels thousands of miles to winter in Southeast Asia, making stops along the coasts of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China.
The distinctive spoon-shaped beak is not just a unique feature; it’s a highly specialized tool that helps the Spoon-billed Sandpiper sift through mud and shallow water to find food like insects, small fish, and crustaceans.
The Spoon-billed Sandpiper’s plumage changes with the seasons. During the breeding season, it sports a rich, reddish-brown head and neck, with a blackish-brown back and white underparts. In the winter, its colors are mellow to a more uniform, dull grayish-brown, which helps it blend into the winter coastal landscapes. Despite its small size, this bird is a resilient traveler, navigating vast distances during its migration each year.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper’s life is its breeding behavior. It nests in the Arctic tundra of Chukotka, Russia, where it lays four eggs in a small ground nest lined with leaves and grass. This area is remote and largely uninhabited, which historically helped protect the nests from human disturbance. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks once they hatch.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Canada
China
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Myanmar
North Korea
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
United States
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
