Little Stint
Scientific Name: Calidris minutaMaltese Name: Tertuxa
Family: Waders (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Common
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Little Stint as it name implies is one of the smallest waders. It has brownish plumage, pale head with streaked cap, a short bill with a pale breast. It also has white underside with black legs. It has a fast wing beat. It feeds at the water edge, searching for tiny invertebrates. It makes a small shallow scrape on the ground where it lays 4 eggs. Breeds on tundra and migrates to Africa and Mediterranean for the winter. Little Stints are known to live up to 10 years.
Status:
Common migrant often seen feeding or flying in small flocks, occasionally recorded in winter.
When to See:
Spring; from March until June. Then return passage from July until October. Few individuals also recorded in winter.
Where to See:
It prefers wetland areas and muddy pools. Ghadira Nature Reserve is certainly the best place to see this bird while Salina and Simar are also good sites. Otherwise it can possibly be seen on rocky sea shores.
Photographs:
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Little Stint in summer plumage, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Little Stint turning into winter plumage, Ghadira Nature Reserve | Flock of Little Stints and Dunlin, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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Little Stints resting, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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