Redshank Tringa totanus
A native migratory bird.
Read all about redshank breeding behaviour and the threats they face in the Netherlands.
The redshank in a nutshell
- eats
- worms, insects, spiders, mud snails, crustaceans, tadpoles and small fish
- inhabits
- Western and Northern Europe to Western Siberia
- excels at
- migrating
The redshank is a migratory bird that winters in southern regions such as South Asia. The redshank is also present all year round in the Netherlands, since redshanks from more northern regions come here to winter.
Breeding area
The Netherlands is a popular breeding ground for redshanks and they nest in places such as the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe on the border with Belgium. Up to 10% of all Dutch redshanks nest here. There are also many redshanks on the Waddenzee, in the meadows of Friesland, and on the Oostvaarderseplassen.
Breeding behaviour
The redshank lays around four eggs in a hollow among the grass. Although the birds are territorial and monogamous by nature, breeding pairs may nest close together. The nests are built on the ground and are usually well concealed beneath the grass. After mating, both parents care for the chicks. Redshanks often nest close to lapwings so that they can benefit from the lapwing’s defensive tactics.
Red List
The number of redshanks in the Netherlands is currently declining by about 5% each year, mainly due to intensive agriculture and low water levels. The low water levels are causing the disappearance of flowers and herbs that attract insects, essential food for the chicks, as well as making worms less easily accessible for the birds. Although the species is not endangered worldwide, the redshank is on the Red List in the Netherlands. This list includes vulnerable or endangered species, and helps prioritise conservation measures such as habitat improvement.