Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

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**Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) – A Detailed Analysis**

The Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) is a small, migratory shorebird belonging to the family Scolopacidae. It is a widely distributed species that breeds in the northern parts of Eurasia and migrates to tropical and subtropical regions, including the Sundarban delta, during the winter months. This species is known for its elegant appearance, distinctive foraging behavior, and preference for wetland habitats.

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Tringa
Species: Tringa glareola
Common Name: Wood Sandpiper
Scientific Name: Tringa glareola

Morphology & Identification

Size & Dimensions

Length: 18–22 cm
Wingspan: 39–44 cm
Weight: 50–80 g

Plumage & Appearance

The upperparts are brown with white spots, giving them a speckled look.
The underparts are mostly white with faint streaks on the breast.
The legs are long and yellowish-green, aiding in wading through shallow waters.
The bill is straight, slender, and dark-colored, slightly tapering at the tip.
The eyes are dark with a distinct white supercilium (eyebrow-like marking) that enhances its facial contrast.

Call & Vocalization

The call is a sharp, high-pitched chiff-iff sound, especially during flight.
It often emits a whistling sound when disturbed or while taking off.

Habitat & Distribution

Global Habitat

The Wood Sandpiper breeds in the boreal wetlands of Europe and Asia, particularly in Scandinavia, Siberia, and Russia.
It migrates during the non-breeding season to the wetlands of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Preferred Habitat

Prefers freshwater wetlands, marshes, swamps, and flooded grasslands.
Frequently found near lakes, rivers, paddy fields, and estuarine mudflats.
Can adapt to both coastal and inland wetlands, unlike other Tringa species that are more marine-dependent.

Special Features & Adaptations

Long legs allow it to wade through shallow waters easily.
Keen eyesight helps it spot small prey such as insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Unlike many other shorebirds, it often forages alone or in small groups, rather than in large flocks.
Its light body structure and strong wings make it an excellent long-distance migrator.
It has a bobbing head movement, a behavior that helps in searching for food in water.

Diet & Feeding Behavior

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small invertebrates like beetles, flies, and larvae.
Occasionally consumes small crustaceans, mollusks, and worms.
Uses a probing technique to extract food from mud and shallow water.
Unlike many waders, it actively picks food from the water surface rather than probing deep into the mud.

Breeding & Reproduction

Breeds in the northern taiga wetlands of Europe and Asia.
Nests are usually shallow depressions lined with grass near water bodies.
Clutch size: 4 eggs (pale brown with dark markings).
Incubation period: 22–23 days (both parents share incubation duties).
Chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching.

Presence in the Sundarban

Seasonal Occurrence

The Wood Sandpiper is a winter migrant to the Sundarban and other coastal wetlands of India.
Arrives in October–November and stays until March–April, before migrating back to its breeding grounds.

Habitat in the Sundarban

Prefers the brackish water wetlands, mudflats, and estuarine marshes of the Sundarban delta.
Can be observed in shallow pools, mangrove edges, and tidal creeks where it forages for small invertebrates.
Often seen in mixed flocks with Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), and other shorebirds.

Ecological Role in the Sundarban

Plays a vital role in controlling insect populations, maintaining a balance in the ecosystem.
Acts as an indicator species for wetland health—a decline in its numbers can signal habitat degradation.
Provides an important food source for larger predators like raptors and wetland carnivores.

Conservation Concerns in the Sundarban

Habitat Loss: Mangrove deforestation and land reclamation for human activities threaten its wintering sites.
Pollution: Industrial discharge and plastic pollution in the Sundarban waters affect food availability.
Climate Change: Rising sea levels and extreme weather events could reduce suitable habitats in the delta.

Conservation Status & Protection Measures

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC), but populations are declining due to habitat loss.
Protected under:
- Migratory Bird Agreements (like the AEWA – African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement).
- Ramsar Convention (which protects important wetlands globally).
Protection Measures:
- Conservation of mangrove ecosystems in the Sundarban.
- Reduction of pollution in wetland habitats.
- Monitoring programs to track population trends in migratory regions.

Conclusion

The Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) is an elegant and adaptable shorebird that plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, including the Sundarban delta. As a winter migrant, it relies on the mangrove wetlands and estuarine mudflats of the region for foraging and survival. While it is not currently under severe threat, habitat degradation and climate change pose potential risks to its future. Conservation efforts must focus on preserving wetlands and reducing human disturbances to ensure the continued presence of this remarkable bird in the Sundarban and beyond.

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