Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Aves › Charadriiformes › Scolopacidae › Actitis
Conservation status: least_concern
This small Palearctic wader forages by sight on the ground or in shallow water, picking up small food items such as insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates; it may even catch insects in flight.
How To Identify
This modest-sized bird has plain greyish-brown plumage overall and stands out with bright yellow legs. Its most notable feature is the distinct dark black band visible on its folded wings.
Habitat
The Common Sandpiper lives in rocky rivers and lakeshores.
Behaviour
The Common Sandpiper exhibits behavior characterized by incessant tail-bobbing while walking and low, fast flight over water.
Native Range
The common sandpiper breeds across most of temperate and subtropical Europe and Asia.
Did You Know?
Bobs its tail constantly — a behaviour whose function scientists still debate.
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