Long-toed stint  |  

The Long-toed Stint is a very small sandpiper and member of the Calidridinae family. The species has a length of 13–16 cm, a wingspan of 26.5–30.5 cm and an average weight of 25 g. The species is characterised by its distinctive shape; a small head, long slim neck, rounded belly, short rear-end, long legs (often held flexed), short straight bill tapering to finely pointed tip, folded primaries that fall level with the tail and show little or no primary projection beyond the tertials. The species also has long, thin toes (especially the middle toe) that give the impression of an awkwardly large foot. The species also has a distinctive stance. It is slightly smaller and more finely built than the Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis. The species has yellow legs and feet, pale-brown or yellow base to lower mandible. It has a well streaked gorget and its flight call can be used to distinguish it from other stints. The juveniles are distinct and the immatures separable (Higgins & Davies 1996).