SPECIES: Xenus cinereus — Terek Sandpiper
CLASSIFICATION: Vulnerable
With its distinctive upturned bill, long orange legs, and swift, darting movements, the Terek Sandpiper is an energetic shorebird that rarely stays still. Often seen running along the water’s edge, it probes the mud and sand for small invertebrates, using its curved bill to sweep through the surface like a tiny scythe. Unlike many other waders, it frequently perches on branches or rocks when resting, an unusual trait for a shorebird.
A long-distance migrant, the Terek Sandpiper travels from breeding grounds in the Arctic to Australia's coastal wetlands. But its journey is becoming increasingly difficult. Habitat loss, coastal development, and pollution threaten the stopover sites it relies on, putting immense pressure on populations.