Another fantastic representative of the Tringa family and a yearly visitor to Shenzhen, the common redshank (Tringa totanus) loves returning to previously visited sites, showing a remarkable site fidelity that, for our city, is a great asset.

Mainly inhabiting the northern areas of Europe and Asia as well as southern European regions, this fantastic bird travels south for survival.

During the cold winter months, they stay in sub-Saharan African countries and in the south of Asia, including Shenzhen.

The common redshank is a relatively small animal, growing around 28 centimeters long with a wingspan of about 65 centimeters. It has a light brown plumage on the upper parts and chest, adorned with dark brown streaks. The lower belly is lighter brown to white, also with brown markings. The legs and beak are bright orange, and a white eye-ring makes them look gorgeous.

These birds are usually linked to wetlands and coastal zones, especially in our city, but they can inhabit grasslands too. In our city, they wander around the mudflats of the coast, searching for mollusks, crustaceans and small fish.

Their breeding season runs from April to June. Nests are built by the female alone, and she will breed only once a year, laying up to five eggs per clutch. Both parents will help incubate the eggs for about four weeks.

This beautiful species is not globally threatened, but if we want to keep enjoying them, we must protect our coastal areas to provide them with a healthy ecosystem for future visits.