The long-toed stint is a small wader. The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific subminuta is from Latin sub, "near to" and minuta, "small" from its similarity to the little stint, Calidris minuta.
Region
East Asia to Australasia
Typical Environment
Breeds in marshy taiga and tundra bogs across northern Siberia, favoring sedge mires, mossy pools, and wet grassy flats. During migration it uses freshwater marshes, flooded fields, rice paddies, and the muddy margins of lakes and rivers. In winter it is widespread but patchy across South and Southeast Asia to Indonesia and northern and eastern Australia. It generally prefers shallow, vegetated wetlands over open tidal mudflats, though it may occur on brackish lagoons locally.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This dainty sandpiper has notably long, slender toes that help it walk on floating vegetation in marshes and rice paddies. It closely resembles the little stint but shows longer toes and neck, a finer bill, and typically yellowish legs. On migration and in winter it often associates with other small waders, where its delicate structure and toe length are good clues. It is a scarce but regular migrant through East and Southeast Asia, with some reaching Australia.
Temperament
wary but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, low skimming flights
Social Behavior
Often feeds in small groups, frequently mixed with other small Calidris sandpipers. Breeds as dispersed pairs on the ground, with a shallow scrape lined with plant material. Adults show distraction displays near the nest and lead chicks to wet edges soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; gives thin, high 'tsee' or 'stit' notes in flight. Display calls are soft, insect-like trills over breeding marshes.
Plumage
Fine, scaly-looking upperparts with dark centers and buff to rufous fringes in breeding plumage; cleaner gray-brown above in non-breeding, with whitish underparts and light breast streaking.
Diet
Takes tiny aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, including insects, larvae, small crustaceans, and worms. Picks delicately from the surface of mud and floating vegetation, and occasionally probes shallowly. May supplement with seeds when animal prey is scarce, especially on migration.
Preferred Environment
Shallow freshwater or slightly brackish wetlands with emergent vegetation, muddy edges, and floating mats. Frequently uses flooded fields and rice paddies during migration and winter.
