Page 186 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Order Charadriiformes Family Scolopacidae Species Actitis hypoleucos
Common Sandpiper dark, mottled
back (plainer
in winter)
bold white
wingbar
stiff, bowed
wings
mid-brown
above
pale flecking
along feather
ADULT edges ADULT
(SUMMER) (SUMMER)
dark tail with
white sides pale-based, dark-
tipped bill
IN FLIGHT
long tail greyish breast, paler
in centre
white crescent in front
greenish or dull of closed wing
ochre legs
JUVENILE
(AUTUMN)

common wader, the
A Common Sandpiper is
much more widespread than its northern
counterparts, the Green and Wood Sandpipers.
A few may even be seen in winter, although the great FLIGHT: highly characteristic, low over water, with
majority go to Africa for the winter months.Typically stiff, flickering beats of bowed wings.
a freshwater bird, it may also sometimes be seen on
rocky sea shores. It is usually found in small numbers,
of rarely more than ten or so together, strung out
along a shore rather than in tight groups; they usually
hold their heads low and swing their tails up and
down in a constant swaying bob.
VOICE Loud, ringing, sharp tew-tew-tew or tyew-yu-yu;
many summer calls include fast, trilling teu-i teu-i teu-i,
chip, tidledi tidledi tidledi.
NESTING Small, grass-lined hollow on ground, often
on grassy banks; 4 eggs; 1 brood;April–July. BATHING
FEEDING Skips and saunters along waterside, All waders bathe regularly, even in cold weather, to help keep their
snatching insects and also some worms and molluscs. plumage in tiptop condition.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds on rocky streams and lake
DUNLIN more streaked GREEN SANDPIPER sides with shingle and grassy
see p.178 above blacker underwings; banks locally throughout Europe.
see p.186
On migration, in all kinds of
waterside habitats, from reservoirs
white darker and streams to muddy estuaries
shorter spots
tail longer and even rocky foreshores.
bill above
Seen in the UK
longer legs
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 19–21cm (7 1 ⁄2 –8 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 32–35cm (12 1 ⁄2 –14in) Weight 40–60g (1 7 ⁄16 –2 1 ⁄8oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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