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Common Redshank | Tringa totanus
The Common Redshank is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Scolopacidae bird family group which includes birds such as Snipes, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels, Shanks, Stints, Sandpipers, Ruff, Turnstones, Phalaropes. The description for the Common Redshank (Latin name Tringa totanus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Tringa totanus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 268 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 352. You will find a picture of the Common Redshank on page 368. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. . There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Common Redshank between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Common Redshank has a height of 29 cms and weighs around 120 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Tringa totanus has a grey coloured throat, red legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are red Throat is grey Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird is a noctunal feeder and is able to forage in the dark because of the enhanced night vision. It also forages at this time because that?s when the prey comes out in the open. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Common Redshank is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams You can see the Common Redshank bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Common Redshank is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. It is also seen in flocks |
