The grey-tailed tattler, also known as the Siberian tattler or Polynesian tattler, is a small shorebird in the genus Tringa. The English name for the tattlers refers to their noisy call. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific brevipes is from Latin brevis, "short", and pes, "foot".
Region
East Asia to Australasia and the Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds in northeastern Siberia along stony rivers, tundra edges, and forest clearings. Migrates through East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and coastal China. Winters widely across Southeast Asia, New Guinea, northern and eastern Australia, and many Pacific islands. In the nonbreeding season it favors rocky shorelines, coral reefs, and mangrove fringes, and also uses estuaries and reef flats. It tends to avoid extensive soft mud compared with many other Tringa sandpipers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-tailed tattler is a small, noisy shorebird whose sharp whistled calls inspired the name 'tattler.' It breeds in northeastern Siberia and migrates to Southeast Asia, Australasia, and Pacific islands. It is very similar to the wandering tattler but usually shows finer barring on the underparts in breeding plumage and differs in voice.
Temperament
wary and alert
Flight Pattern
direct low flight with rapid, stiff wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often solitary or in small loose groups on rocky coasts; larger flocks may form at high-tide roosts or during migration. Breeds in the Russian Far East, nesting on the ground near rivers or open tundra in a shallow scrape lined with vegetation. Pairs are typically monogamous for the season and both adults attend the brood.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are clear, ringing whistles delivered in rapid series, often a repeated ti-ti-ti or tew-tew-tew when flushed. Vocal in flight and on foraging grounds, the calls carry well over surf and wind.
