Strange calidrid Awarua Bay

sjacques · Post by **sjacques** » Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:43 pm

An unusual Calidris sandpiper was found by Glenda Rees at the head of Awarua Bay on 25th June.

Glenda tentatively identified it as a curlew sandpiper, with which I initially agreed. However, after some discussion on our Southland whatsapp group, and looking over some further images, we'd welcome some input from around the forum.

Glenda reports that the bird was only in view for a few minutes before disappearing. It was larger than red-necked stints, smaller than wrybill. The bill looked atypical for curlew sand in that it was considerably shorter and less decurved than expected. Discussion yesterday also centred around the legs, with tibia looking short for curlew sand, and the plumage. The latter I took to be a washed-out 'first summer' type dress (which would fit for an over-wintering bird) but must confess I can't recall ever having seen a CS in 'first breeding' and can't find any reference images. None of the other dark-legged small sandpipers fit and the bird has got us wondering about Cox's, or another Curlew sand hybrid or back-cross.

Any views welcomed.
Cheers,
Sean

Bruce Keeley · Post by **Bruce Keeley** » Sat Jul 05, 2025 9:17 pm

Has Western been considered?
The colouring behind the eye looks very like the Western seen near Whitford a couple of years ago.

sjacques · Post by **sjacques** » Sat Jul 05, 2025 9:30 pm

Thanks Bruce,

Yes, a good point and one that was raised by my brother Paul. We have ruled out Western because; this bird is too big (noticeably larger than red-necked stint, structure isn't right (western I think would look small bodied/big headed), bill shape doesn't quite fit western; and there are no palmations between the toes as is the case for western (and semi-p).

Cheers,
Sean

Mike Bickerdike · Post by **Mike Bickerdike** » Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:57 am

Forgive a poorly-informed suggestion, and I know this would be unusual for NZ, but does it look a bit like a white-rumped sandpiper?

sjacques · Post by **sjacques** » Sun Jul 06, 2025 12:52 pm

Thanks Mike,

I had ruled out white -rumped, as this bird doesn't have the low, attenuated shape and long primary projection of that species.

I don't believe Glenda saw the rump as it happens, would be interesting to know whether it's classic curlew sand pattern or otherwise.

Cheers,
Sean

Oscar Thomas · Post by **Oscar Thomas** » Sun Jul 06, 2025 6:19 pm

Hi Sean,

Always good to go over birds like this! Looking at comparisons on eBird I don't think the bill is out of range for a curlew sandpiper, and the shorter tibia could be the byproduct of fluffed up feathers on a cold day.

We might be down there on Wednesday.

nzsam · Post by **nzsam** » Sun Jul 06, 2025 7:42 pm

I found this wee fella again today. When feeding it looked typical curlew sandpiper action. Here are a few more images to see if any help, including one with a Red-necked stint. Cheers, Glenda.