Shanks

All 2 species of shanks on WAnimals

Each one has its own full profile. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 115 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…?

• It runs through the shallows after small fish with its bill open.

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• It hunts on the run: instead of probing the mud like other waders, it chases fry and shrimp through shallow water in zigzag dashes, sometimes sweeping the water sideways with its bill.

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• Its fluting three-syllable call is one of the most characteristic sounds of the Spanish marshes in winter, and usually gives it away before it is seen.

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• It is among the first birds to give the alarm when an intruder appears on the marsh, which is why it is popularly known as the warden of the marshes.

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Ecosystems