FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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The Terek sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) is a small migratory wader species that can be found in the Palearctic region. This is the only species that belongs to the genus Xenus. The Terek sandpiper was named after the Terek River that flows into the Caspian Sea, as it was first sighted there.
The Terek sandpiper bird is a monotypic species and it belongs to the family of curlews and sandpipers, the Charadriidae. The flight range is from north to south areas of Finland, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, coastal regions of southeast Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, and Australia. These Terek sandpiper bird species are migratory birds and the breeding populations occur in Arctic tundra and sub-Arctic northern Russia, Finland, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. These sandpipers leave the breeding grounds by the end of July and migrate to coastal regions of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian peninsula, southeast Asia, and Australia for wintering.
Scroll down to read about the Terek sandpiper's life span, what they feed on, their habitat, and other exciting details! For more relatable content, check out these spotted sandpiper facts and least sandpiper facts for kids.
The Terek sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) is a small migratory wader species and is closely related to the spotted sandpiper and the common sandpiper.
Terek sandpipers belong to the Aves class and the order Charadriiformes.
The global population size of Terek sandpipers is estimated to be about 160,000 - 1,200,000 individual birds as reported by Wetlands International in the year 2015. The population of these species has been seen to be declining but they are still found in abundance and are therefore in the Least Concern category.
The Terek sandpiper distribution can be found in the areas of Finland, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, coastal regions of southeast Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, the Indian subcontinent, southeast Asia, and Australia.
These breeds are migratory birds and the breeding population range is in Arctic tundra and sub-Arctic northern Russia, Finland, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. These sandpipers leave the breeding grounds by the end of July and migrate to coastal regions of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian peninsula, south-east Asia, and Australia for wintering. These birds fly from the extreme northern areas to the south on the map throughout the years.
The Terek sandpiper bird doesn't depend on dense forests and mostly habitat areas of boreal forests, subarctic shrublands, mangrove forests, tundra wetlands, freshwater lakes, marine lakes, shallow water, estuaries, marshes, and intertidal mudflats.
Sandpiper birds tend to stay and prey in flocks, but the Terek sandpiper is a solitary animal and can be found alone at the banks of shady creeks. Only during the breeding season, they can be seen in flocks.
The Terek sandpiper can live up to almost 16 years.
The breeding season starts in the month of May and goes on till August. They are monogamous in nature and breed in small colonies. They breed in open flat grounds around the water bodies with lesser vegetation. The nest lined with grass and plant matter is a shallow depression on the ground. The breeding adults comes together during the breeding season.
The mother lays two to five eggs and incubates them in the nest. The chicks hatch out from the eggs after 24 days of incubation and fledge after 15 days. During the period of incubation as well as till the chick can fly, both adults take care of the newborn.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Terek sandpiper is of Least Concern, as they can be found in abundance all over the world but their numbers have been decreasing lately due to pollution of water bodies which is an inconvenience as these species primarily feeds on animals that live in water.
Terek sandpipers have pale grayish-brown plumage on the upperparts, head, and breast. There is dark brown streaking on the head, neck, throat, and breast and the underparts are white. They have a long upcurved bill and this long upcurved bill is dirty orange-colored at the base. The irises are brownish-black and they also have a white eye-ring. The legs and feet are bright orange or greenish-yellow. The wings are gray and brown as well with streaks of dark brown color.
With their tiny movements and small stature, the sandpiper bird is perceived as quite likable from their description. They don't attack as well and bird lovers can have an affinity for these migratory birds. Being the birds of the world that fly all over the world, they can be easily sighted and are adored by bird enthusiasts.
This sandpiper breed lets out a long whistle-like twittering sound and it calls out loud when it tries to communicate with other birds. The calls of the sandpiper bird are not as loud as the cockatoo calls but are loud enough that the calls can be heard from a distance.
Terek sandpipers can be almost 8.7-9.8 in (22-25 cm) big. This makes it almost two times smaller than the Arctic tern which is about 11-16.1 in (28-41 cm) big.
There is no estimated flight speed of these species, but the little stints with gray wings are migratory birds which makes them quite able to fly faster than most birds.
As per the description, this bird species weight range is almost 1.8-4.4 oz (50-126 g).
There are no specific names assigned to the male or female Terek sandpiper birds and are termed as the Terek sandpiper or Xenus cinereus after they become adults.
The newborn is not specifically called by any specific name but is called either hatchling or chick, till it becomes a breeding adult and leaves nest. Non-breeding sandpipers and several one-year-old sub-adults remain back in the wintering grounds after migration.
The primary diet of the Terek sandpiper species consists mainly of invertebrates. They feed on insects, larval insects, water beetles, flies, crustaceans like green crabs, mollusks, and arachnids. They also feed on seeds which can be seen as a secondary diet choice. They can catch insects mid-flight and feed on them.
These birds don't attack anyone and have no means of defending themselves with their small size. They are completely harmless and tend to stay away from bigger birds in order to be safe.
These breeds are migratory birds, which means they move from one region to another during different seasons and if they are kept as pets, they won't be able to migrate every season, which can take a toll on this species.
This breed catches the crabs on the ground by running after them while foraging for food. The birds also tend to poke and pull out worms from the ground to feed with their upturned bill.
The Terek sandpiper bird was named after the Terek River that flows into the Caspian Sea, as it was first sighted there.
The sandpiper bird leaves the breeding grounds by the end of July and migrates to coastal regions of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian peninsula, southeast Asia and Australia for wintering. The return to the breeding grounds takes place during March and April. Non-breeding sandpipers and several one-year-old sub-adults remain back in the wintering grounds.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these birds of paradise fun facts and royal penguin interesting facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable types of birds coloring pages.
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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