Visitors since 01/09/06

Although not one of the most spectacular of the most wanted bird species of Thailand, Nordmann's Greenshank is certainly one of the most endangered with perhaps just a few hundred pairs remaining, earning it the conservation status of endangered. In Thailand it is a rare, but annual, visitor regularly being seen at Krabi River, Laem Pak Bia-Pak Thale and sometimes at Khok Kham: it has also been recorded at Bang Poo, Khao Sam Roi Yot and Ko Samui.

The number of sightings of Nordmann's Greenshank in Thailand has risen over the last few years, possibly as more birdwatchers have gained the skills to identify the species. It is also possible that larger numbers of the species are wintering in Thailand as wintering sites elsewhere are drained or reclaimed; Nordmann's Greenshank has suffered similarly to Spoon-billed Sandpiper from a loss of stopover sites on its migratory flyway.

Separating Nordmann's Greenshank from Common Greenshank in winter is not as difficult as it may first seem. Two of the most obvious features that help to identify this species in non-breeding plumage are the noticeably shorter upper leg, which gives Nordmann's Greenshank a much more squat appearance than Common Greenshank, and the distinctly bi-coloured bill. Other features to look for are the only very faintly streaked nape and sides of the breast, plain upperparts and, in flight, the legs of Nordmann's Greenshank do not extend beyond the tail.

For those wishing to find their own Nordmann's Greenshank, Thailand remains a reliable wintering location: see it before all its remaining migratory stopover sites are turned into car parks or warehouses!

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Nordmann's Greenshank blog

Red Data Book, Threatened Birds of Asia: Nordmann's Greenshank

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Oriental Bird Images: Nordmann's Greenshank