Spotted Redshank Vs Redshank: Key Differences Explained

Redshanks are common wading birds found all year round in the UK. However, during autumn and winter time we also get a small influx of the rarer Spotted Redshank. 

Many are what is known as passage migrants which means they are just passing through on their way to their winter grounds. However, some stay here and overwinter on marshlands here in the UK. 

In this article we’ll take a closer look at both of these wading birds and show you how to tell them apart. Keep reading to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• Spotted Redshanks are longer and more slender than Redshanks
• During summer Spotted Redshanks have a black body which is contrasted by white spots on the wings and a white patch on their backs
• During winter Spotted Redshanks have a grey back and lighter underbelly and can be distinguished from the Redshank by their pronounced eyestripe and absence of white wing stripes
• In flight Redshanks display a distinctive white wedge on their back plus they have white wing bars as well

What Is The Difference Between A Spotted Redshank And A Redshank?

There are a number of differences between the Redshank and the Spotted Redshank which can make differentiating between the two quite easy. These differences include;

Visual Differences

One of the more easily recognisable features that helps distinguish the Spotted Redshank from the Redshank is the length of their legs and bills. Spotted Redshanks bills, although similar in colour (orange-red base and black tip) are longer and more slender than that of the Redshank. Spotted Redshanks also have longer legs than Redshanks.

During summer Spotted Redshanks have an almost fully black body which is contrasted by white spots on the wings and a white patch on their back which becomes visible during flight along with their striped tail.

In winter the Spotted Redshank has a grey back and lighter underbelly and can be distinguished from the Redshank by their pronounced eyestripe and absence of white wing stripes. 

Spotted Redshanks are slightly larger than Redshanks and when they have their breeding plumage, Spotted Redshanks show a more uniform dark wing pattern compared to the Redshank.

In flight Redshanks display a distinctive white wedge on their back as well as white wing bars.

Spotted Redshanks have a more elegant, agile flying movement with a less conspicuous wing pattern compared to the Redshank.

Differences In Habitat

When it comes to habitats, the Redshank breeds in grasslands, marshes and moorlands and winters on coastal mudflats, estuaries and salt marshes. Redshanks are found all across Europe and Asia where they breed in northern and central regions and winter in more southerly regions.

Spotted Redshanks breed in bogs and marshes mainly in northern Scandinavia and Siberia. They winter on freshwater wetlands including; lakes, ponds and flooded fields but can also sometimes be spotted in coastal areas.

Spotted Redshanks breed in northern regions of Europe and Asia and migrate south during winter.

Redshanks don’t all migrate with many staying as residents in the UK all year round. Some Redshanks however, move further south during the colder months where food is more abundant. 

Feeding

Redshanks forage by probing the mud with their bill and eat invertebrates like insects, worms and crustaceans.

Spotted Redshanks use a more varied foraging technique which includes sweeping their bills from side to side in shallow water. They feed on insects, small fish and crustaceans.

Spotted Redshanks avoid competing for food with Redshanks by feeding in deeper water. Thanks to their longer legs and longer bills, they are able to wade and find food in deeper water. 

Spotted Redshanks are also adept swimmers and can even up-end like ducks with their heads and necks completely submerged under water.

They have a unique feeding tactic which helps them catch small fishes. They form large feeding groups that rush fish shoals into trapped groups that can easily be picked off by the charging Spotted Redshank flocks with their bills open.

Nests & Eggs

The breeding season of the Redshank runs from around mid April to early June. The nests are usually found in grassy tussocks and they sometimes weave grass canopies above the eggs to conceal them from above. Generally it’s the male Redshank that builds the nest.

The female typically lays 3 to 5 buff coloured eggs which are covered in dark brown spots, freckles or blemishes. The eggs are around 45 x 31 mm in size and typically weigh around 22 grams. They are incubated by both parents and the chicks are precocial and generally leave the nest within 24 to 48 hours after hatching.

The breeding season for the Spotted Redshank is similar to that of the Redshank and typically starts around mid April and ends in June. They breed in boggy wetlands in northern Scandinavia and Russia.

The nest is built on ground in a shallow depression which is lined with grass, leaves, pine needles, plant stems and down. The female lays 3 to 5 pale green eggs which have dark brown markings and are incubated for around 23 to 25 days mainly by the male.

The precocial chicks tend to leave the nest around 24 to 48 hours after hatching and are typically raised solely by the male. The female will generally leave the area after the chicks hatch and leave the raising of the young chicks to the male.

Bird Calls

The call of the Redshank is a distinctive loud piping sound which can often be heard when the bird is alarmed.

Spotted Redshanks are generally quieter than Redshanks but they can produce a distinctive whistling call which sounds something like the call of the Roseate Tern. The alarm call of the Spotted Redshank is a rapid “kyip, kyip, kyip” which makes it quite easy to identify.

Size & Weight

Spotted Redshanks tend to be the larger of the two species with an average adult Spotted Redshank weighing in at around 140 to 200 grams compared to the average adult Redshank weight of around 110 to 130 grams.

They differ in size as well with an adult Redshank being around 28 cm in length with a wingspan of around 62 cm. While an adult Spotted Redshank is around 29 to 31 cm in length with a wingspan of around 61 to 67 cm.

SEE ALSO: Stonechat Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

Frequently Asked Questions