News: A rare Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper was spotted at Chandu village, Gurugram, Haryana.

Distribution & Migration

• Breeding ground: Northern Siberia, particularly around the Lena River Delta–Kolyma region.
• Wintering grounds: Australia and New Zealand.
• Migrates southward through East Asia.
• Its sighting in India is significant as it is a long-distance migratory wader.

Habitat

• Prefers freshwater marshes, wetlands and coastal mudflats.
• Uses shallow waters and exposed wetland areas for feeding.

Identification

• Breeding plumage → chestnut-coloured cap + white eye-ring + heavily spotted underparts.
• Non-breeding plumage → duller greyish-brown appearance.
• Feeds on insects, worms, molluscs, crustaceans and seeds.
• Threats: Pollution, wetland degradation, altered sediment flows and rising sea levels threaten its habitats.
• Conservation Statusà IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

Map Point

Northern Siberia → East Asia → Australia/New Zealand, representing a major Arctic–Southern Hemisphere migratory route.