How to tell waders apart at Sungei Buloh Nature Park

WETlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park

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Vol 5 No 3
Nov 98

Colourful Migratory Birds:
Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Common Kingfisher,
Black-capped Kingfisher

BirdWatch '98: how to tell
waders apart

A Year in
the Life of Waders:
migration and breeding

Birds of
Pulau Ubin:
The Red Junglefowl
(Gallus gallus)

Butterfly Appreciation

Friends of
the Park: a tribute to the volunteers

Essence of the Natural Experience:
the year in 1998

Why Wader Census?
Counting shorebirds
at Sungei Buloh

BirdWatch '98

As a mark of welcome to our feathered friends from Siberia, the Park is hosting a week-long of birdwatching sessions from 5-12 Dec 1998 for all Park visitors. Guides will be stationed at the Main Observation Hide from 9am to 3pm to give you a few pointers on how to identify the waders. Make a date with us to enjoy Mother Nature's handiwork.

Here is a sample provided by Chan Su Hooi on how to tell the waders apart.

Curlew Sandpiper Has slight down curved bill, upper parts are pale grey and has white underparts and eyebrows, legs black
Pacific Golden Plover Has mottled brownish plumage, speckled with gold. It probes the upper layer of mud, feeding by sight. Bill and legs dark brown.
Marsh Sandpiper Commonly mistaken for the Greenshank. It is, however, smaller and slimmer than the Greenshank and has a black needle-like bill. Extremely long, greyish-green legs.
Common Redshank Has red legs and a black bill with a red base. Upperparts, head and neck are grey brown.
Common Greenshank It is larger than the Redshank. Has greenish-yellow legs and a black bill that is slightly upturned. Upperparts, head and neck are light grey and mottled.
Whimbrel This bird has a down curved bill. It is dark brown and has buff and black stripes on its crown. Legs bluish-grey.