Spotted redshank

The spotted redshank is a long-legged wading bird with a striking dark summer plumage. It breeds in the chilly northern reaches of Scandinavia and Siberia, then flies south to warmer spots like the Mediterranean and tropical Africa for winter. This globe-trotter sometimes even pops up unexpectedly in Australia or North America.

• Changes from jet black in summer to pale gray in winter.
• Takes epic migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and African wintering areas.
• Occasionally turns up far from home as a rare visitor to Australia.