PLATE 39: SANDPIPERS I & PHALAROPES
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
21–24 cm
ID Similar to Wood Sandpiper, which it resembles in general form, behaviour and habitat preference, but distinguished by blackish (vs. brownish) coloration above; a prominent white eye-ring (vs. supercillium); shorter, green (vs. yellowish) legs; and in flight black (vs. whitish) under wings and broad (vs. narrow) tail barring. Both Green and Wood are significantly smaller, shorter-billed, and shorter-legged than Common Greenshank or Marsh Sandpiper. Voice When flushed gives a sharp 3-note kleet veet veet. Alarm call an abrupt kwik kwik kwik. Habitat Breeds in forested habitats near open water. Typically occurs along lake shores with emergent vegetation, small temporary ponds and sedgy ditches on migration, but also in other wetland types, e.g. oases in arid steppe and Gobi Desert. Behaviour Uses abandoned songbird (especially thrush) nests rather than building its own. Not very gregarious. Status Uncommon breeding visitor and passage migrant throughout Mongolia, late April to mid-September.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
19–23 cm
ID Similar to Green Sandpiper, which see for distinctions. Voice High-pitched chiff iff iff call given in flight and when flushed. Habitat Nests in thick vegetation on ground in taiga wetlands. On migration, occurs along riverbanks and lake shores with emergent vegetation, and marsh edges; also in various wetlands in arid steppe and Gobi Desert. Behaviour Feeds energetically, probing mud or wading and snapping prey from surface. Like Green Sandpiper, rather shy, often flushing suddenly and calling. Status Uncommon and local breeding visitor and common passage migrant throughout Mongolia, late April to early September.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
19–21 cm
ID Smaller, with much shorter legs and distinctly olive-brown coloration above compared to Green and Wood Sandpipers and tattlers. Lacks white rump, but has distinctive white ‘gap’ between breast side and folded wing, and shows white wing-stripe in flight. Possibly its most distinctive traits are behavioural (see below). Voice A loud shrill swhee-swee-swee when flushed and in flight; also a single longer tweeeeh. Habitat Uses wide variety of wetland types, showing some preference for rocky streams and lake shores. Behaviour Constantly bobs rear end of body and has a flight pattern of rapid, shallow wing-beats, interspersed with short glides, unlike that of any other wader in the region. Feeds mainly on shoreline. Status Common breeding visitor and passage migrant throughout country (absent only from highest elevations), late April to early September. Taxonomy Sometimes placed in genus Tringa.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
22–25 cm
ID Upturned bill and greyish coloration above like Common Greenshank, but this species has much shorter orange-yellow (vs. grey-green) legs. In flight, lacks latter’s white rump and back and shows a distinctive white trailing edge to secondaries. See also behaviour, below. Voice Common calls include a whistled vee-vee-vee and more rattling wicka-wicka-wick. Habitat Prefers lake shores and riverbanks, but also found in other wetland types. Behaviour Chases insects along shorelines in distinctive, hyperactive dashing manner. Status Uncommon to rare passage migrant throughout Mongolia, late April to early May and mid-August. Taxonomy Sometimes placed in genus Tringa.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
18–19 cm
ID Breeding adults unmistakable: lead-grey above with wide rufous collar and tan streaking on mantle; females brighter than males. Juv and non-breeding birds best told from very similar Red Phalarope by lighter build; longer, needle-like (vs. deeper and blunter) bill; and darker, more streaked mantle. Juvs have brownish cast. Voice Flight call is a brief, chirruped chep or kerrek. Habitat Open water of lakes and ponds throughout much of the country. Behaviour Swims on surface, frequently spinning and pecking quickly all around for insect larvae and other small aquatic prey. Status Uncommon, though occasionally numerous, passage migrant, late April to early May and mid to late August.
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
20–22 cm
ID Breeding adult unmistakable bright brick-red with white cheeks and black-tipped yellow bill. Non-breeding plumage best distinguished from very similar and more common Red-necked Phalarope by plain pale grey, unstreaked back and a thicker (vs. needle-like) bill. Voice A high-pitched, abrupt tik or wit in flight. Habitat Breeds in Arctic tundra; otherwise typically inhabits the open ocean or large lakes. Behaviour As Red-necked Phalarope, but feeds less energetically than that species. Status Vagrant. A first-year bird in Zulganai oasis, Ömnögobi province, 30 August and 2 September 2004 and one individual Lake Galuut, Dornod province, 17 July 2009. [Alt: Grey Phalarope]
