Red-necked Stint Bécasseau à col roux

The Red-necked Stint is a small sandpiper close to the Little Stint. It is unmistakable in nuptial plumage with its intense red cheeks, neck and breast. The upper part feathers (back, scapulars, upper coverts) are black largely bordered with red. Both young and adults out of the breeding season have almost similar plumage. Dark grey on top (with the feathers bordered with brown in young ones), white underneath. A brownish spot at the side of the chest, barely marked with slight black (grey and barely visible in young ones) spots. The upper part of the head has a finely rayed, long white eyebrow that widens at the base of the beak. The beak is short, black and straight, somewhat wider at the tip. Can easily be confused with almost all little sandpipers with black legs (Little Stint, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper). Young birds on coast are very difficult to differentiate from the Young Little Stint.
In flight, this sandpiper is highly contrasted (dark on top, light underneath); the very dark primary coverts create a characteristic spot on the wrist of adult in winter plumage. This spot contrasts with the clear base of the primary remiges. This wing design is only seen in the much larger Sanderling.