Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Redshanks
Chevaliers
Scolopacidae
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are at two types of redshanks that have been seen in North America. Both bird species are native to Eurasia and have shown up on the continent as vagrants. These are the Common Redshank and the Spotted Redshank. Both birds can be identified by their long dark orange to reddish legs.
Of the two, the Spotted Redshank is more easily recognized by its black breeding plumage, longer red bill and its long reddish legs. The Common Redshank is somewhat smaller in size and does not have as an attractive plumage and it has a shorter red bill but also has long red legs. Both redshanks nest in the northern regions of Eurasia.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
