The Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) is a prevalent wader, commonly seen as a winter visitor in the region. These birds arrive in the Inter-State Chandigarh Region (ISCR) around October and depart at the onset of summer in early April.
First formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under the binomial name Scolopax totanus, it was later grouped with 12 other species in the genus Tringa.
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Frequently found in high-density populations, the Common Redshank is known for their noisy nature, they emit loud piping calls, often alerting their presence.
Both male and female birds are similar in appearance, with an overall body length ranging from 27 to 29cm.
As they prefer habitats like marshes, mudflats, and margins of lakes, rivers, and streams, this species is typically spotted near water bodies and running water. Their primary diet consists of invertebrates, abundant in the vicinity of water.
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Similar to its counterpart, the Common Greenshank, which is also a winter visitor, this bird lays four to five eggs and nests in wetlands.
As winters arrive, the noise and loud piping calls can be heard near water bodies like the Sukhna Lake and Dhanas Lake, as well as seasonal rivulets at Morni Hills etc.
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