Page 191 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WADERS
Order Charadriiformes Family Scolopacidae Species Tringa nebularia
Greenshank pale, scaly edges
on upperparts

plain upperwings
pale head
greyish and neck
upperparts

white ADULT
wedge (WINTER) slightly JUVENILE
on back upturned
bill
blackish spots
above
IN FLIGHT
clear white
underparts streaked
breast
long, grey-
green legs

ADULT ADULT (SUMMER)
(WINTER)
FLIGHT: fast, strong, with regular wingbeats; looks
ne of the most beautiful of waders, despite a lack long and tapered.
Oof strong colour or pattern, the Greenshank is an
elegant, delicate-looking bird. It is, nevertheless,
noticeably bigger than a Redshank, being part way to
a godwit in size. It is easily located by its loud, ringing
calls that echo around estuaries and inland pools. In
summer, this is a bird of wild and remote places, shy
and difficult to observe.
VOICE Main call loud, ringing, even-pitch tew-tew-
tew, without accelerating “bounce” or hysterical
quality of Redshank.
NESTING Scrape on ground, often near logs, stones,
or posts, in grass or heather; 4 eggs; 1 brood; May–July.
FEEDING Probes while wading in shallow water, ELEGANT STANCE
often very active, running and chasing fish; eats Its long bill and long legs help to give the Greenshank a particularly
worms, insects, and crustaceans. delicate, elegant appearance.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds on moorland near northern
smaller
browner pools in NW Europe. On migration
near water, including reservoirs
very
fine bill well inland, but not often on
exposed mudflats of larger
slimmer estuaries. Winters in more
dumpier shorter
legs sheltered salt-marsh creeks.
MARSH SANDPIPER REDSHANK Seen in the UK
see p.190 see p.187 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 30–35cm (12–14in) Wingspan 53–60cm (21–23 1 ⁄2in) Weight 140–270g (5–10oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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