Colours
Distinguishing features
The breeding adult is spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings. Its face and neck are black with a white border and it has a black breast and a dark rump. The legs are black.
In winter, the black is lost and it then has a yellowish face and breast, and white underparts. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 23 cm to 26 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- From 32 cm to 43 cm
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Its breeding habitat is Arctic tundra from northernmost Asia into western Alaska.
It is migratory and winters in south Asia and Australasia. A few winter in California and Hawaii, USA. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. (Wikipedia)
Audio recordings
Natural vocalizations; calls from a male bird on moist tundra on a gentle slope. These calls were given right as it landed after a prolonged flight display.
© Andrew Spencer
(source)
Diet
It forages for food on tundra, fields, beaches and tidal flats, usually by sight. It eats insects and crustaceans and some berries. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
References
- Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (1996). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia: Fifth Edition Penguin Books, Australia.
- Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.