Spotted Redshank Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Spotted Redshanks are passage migrants to the UK and are only usually seen from October to March and only in relatively small numbers. They breed in the north of Europe and Siberia and migrate to warmer areas of southern Europe, central Africa, China, India and southeast Asia during the winter.

In this article we’ll be looking at the diet of the Spotted Redshank, interesting information about their breeding habits, size and weight as well as their conservation status, what predators they have and where they can be spotted in the UK.

Keep reading to find out more.

The Dietary Habits Of The Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshanks forage in wetlands using their long bills to probe in the mud of their habitats or shallow waters to find food.

What Does A Spotted Redshank Eat?

Spotted Redshank have a varied diet that changes with the seasons and is influenced by the availability of food sources in their habitat. Their diet mainly consists of; 

• Beetles
• Flies
• Insect Larvae
• Shrimps
• Crabs
• Snails
• Bivalves
• Earthworms
• Marine Worms
• Small Fish
• Seeds (and other plant material)

Their diet changes as they change areas at different times of the year.

What To Feed A Baby Spotted Redshank? 

Spotted Redshank chicks are precocial which means they can leave the nest almost immediately after they have hatched. The young chicks follow their father to the feeding grounds. 

He shows them how to forage for food, how to identify what to eat and also how to keep an eye out for potential dangers. The young chicks will eat soft protein rich foods including; Molluscs, worms and insect larvae for their first few days before moving on to more substantial foods like insects, crustaceans and fish a few days later.

Breeding Habits Of Spotted Redshanks

The male Spotted Redshank performs elaborate courtship displays in order to attract a female. These displays are mainly performed in the air and include flying techniques and a number of different calls.

These courtship activities demonstrate the fitness and suitability of the male to raise a brood successfully. In an unusual nesting routine, it’s the male that is responsible for the incubation of the eggs and the caring for the young chicks.

The female leaves the nest before the eggs hatch and has no more to do with the male, the eggs or the chicks.

Do Spotted Redshanks Mate For Life?

Spotted Redshanks do not mate for life. They tend to form monogamous relationships just for one breeding season but these partnerships don’t last beyond the breeding season.

The following year, both partners will form a season-long monogamous relationship with a new mate.

The Size & Weight Of Spotted Redshanks

Now let’s look at the size and weight of the Spotted Redshank for identification purposes.

How Much Does A Spotted Redshank Weigh?

These relatively slim, slender birds have an average weight of somewhere between 140 to 200 grams for a fully grown adult. That’s around the same weight as a ½ to full pack of butter.

The female Spotted Redshank is typically heavier than the male.

How Big Is A Spotted Redshank?

Adult Spotted Redshanks are around 29 to 31 cm in length from bill to tail and have a wingspan of around 61 to 67 cm. These impressive wings allow the bird to fly at speeds of up to  37 mph (60 km/h) which is 16.5 metres per second.

Are Spotted Redshanks Under Threat?

Spotted Redshanks are not considered to be under threat globally and are classified as a bird of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

With that said, like many other birds worldwide, they do face problems including habitat loss, changes in weather patterns due to climate change, pollution, predation and human disturbance. If the nests are disturbed during the breeding season they often get abandoned and the eggs don’t develop.

What Eats A Spotted Redshank?

Like many shorebirds, the Spotted Redshank faces the threat of predation by a variety of birds and animals throughout their life cycle. Predators include; Gulls, Skuas and Ravens which will steal both eggs and chicks from the nests.

Birds of prey like; Peregrine Falcons, Northern Harriers, Goshawks and Sparrowhawks will take chicks and adult Spotted Redshanks as they forage for food.

Foxes, weasels, stoats and rats will all take eggs and young chicks from the nest. Plus foxes will even take adult birds especially those that are weak or injured.

Due to the risk of predation, the Spotted Redshank has developed several strategies to help them to survive. They use their plumage and markings as a form of camouflage to help them blend into their surroundings.

They are also highly vigilant birds who are constantly watching for any potential threats. Spotted Redshanks are also fast runners and fast flyers which helps them evade capture. Plus they use their alarm calls to warn other birds of any approaching predators or potential threats.

Where Can I See Spotted Redshanks In The UK?

There are several locations in the UK where Spotted Redshanks can be seen. This is particularly the case during their migration periods and over winter. Some of the most likely locations to see Spotted Redshanks include;

• Norfolk (especially the Titchwell Marsh and the Cley Marshes)
• Suffolk (Minsmere RSPB Reserve)
• Essex (Abberton Reservoir and the Blackwater Estuary)
• Hampshire (Keyhaven Marshes and Pennington Marshes)
• Lincolnshire (Gibraltar Point)
• Lancashire (Leighton Moss)
• Yorkshire (Blacktoft Sands)
• Northumberland (Druridge Bay)

It’s always a good idea to check tidal patterns as you’re most likely to see Spotted Redshanks at low tide when they are foraging for food along estuaries and coastal areas.

SEE ALSO: Taiga Bean Goose Vs Tundra Bean Goose: Key Differences Explained

Frequently Asked Questions