1. Curlew sandpiper – Calidris ferruginea
The curlew sandpiper is a small bird with a body length of 18-23 cm, a wingspan of 40-45 cm, and a weight of 45-60 g. In an adult, the plumage of the upper body is brown, the bottom of the body is white, there is a characteristic reddish or pink hue on the chest. The curlew sandpiper has a short, straight beak and long, thin legs. The curlew sandpiper is common in Eurasia, Africa and Australia. In Ukraine, it breeds in the north and east, as well as in the south of Crimea.
The curlew sandpiper is a migratory bird. It winters in Africa, South Asia and Australia.
The curlew sandpiper nests on the sandy banks of rivers, lakes and other reservoirs. It builds a nest in a small pit covered with pebbles or little stones . There are 3-5 eggs in the clutch of the curlew sandpiper. The eggs are incubated by the female and the male in turn. Chicks hatch after 22-24 days. After hatching, the chicks grow quickly and begin to fly after a few weeks.
The curlew sandpiper feeds on small invertebrates, which it finds on sandy soil.
The curlew sandpiper is a fairly common species, but in some regions its number is decreasing. The reasons for this are pollution of reservoirs, destruction of sandy shores and poaching.
In Ukraine, the red-breasted coast is listed in the Red Book in the status of "Disappearing".
Photo: Volodymyr Kucherenko