Common Sandpiper

The Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, is a small wader, a bird that graces the Palearctic region with its presence. It is a member of the family Scolopacidae and is closely related to its American counterpart, the Spotted Sandpiper (A. macularia). This bird is characterized by its greyish-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts, with a wingspan stretching between 32 to 35 centimeters.

Identification Tips

Adult Common Sandpipers measure about 18–20 cm in length. They possess short, dark-yellowish legs and feet, and a bill that is pale at the base but dark at the tip. In their winter plumage, they appear duller and exhibit more noticeable barring on the wings, which is best seen up close. Juveniles display heavier barring above and have buff edges to their wing feathers.

Habitat

These birds are typically found near freshwater, where they nest on the ground, a stone's throw away from the life-giving water.

Distribution

The Common Sandpiper breeds across a vast expanse of temperate and subtropical Europe and Asia. When the cold season approaches, it migrates to warmer climes in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia.

Behaviour

The Common Sandpiper is often seen alone or in small groups. However, during migration or at breeding season roosts, it may form larger flocks. It is known for its distinctive stiff-winged flight, skimming low over the water's surface.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Common Sandpiper have not been described here.

Breeding

When breeding, the Common Sandpiper chooses the ground near freshwater as its nursery. In moments of danger, the young have been known to cling to their parent's body, which then takes to the skies, carrying them to safety.

Similar Species

This species is quite similar to the slightly larger Spotted Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage. However, the Common Sandpiper can be distinguished by its darker legs and feet and a more defined wing pattern during flight. They are rarely found in the same location.

Diet and Feeding

The Common Sandpiper forages by sight, either on the ground or in shallow waters. It feeds on small food items such as insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates and may even catch insects mid-flight.

Conservation status

The Common Sandpiper is widespread and common, thus listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, it is considered vulnerable in some Australian states. It is also one of the species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

Relationship to Humans

In the Nukumanu language of the Nukumanu Islands, the Common Sandpiper is known as "tiritavoi." Another name for it is "matakakoni," which is considered somewhat taboo and is not used in the presence of children and women. This name refers to the bird's characteristic foraging movements, which resemble a little walk followed by a copulatory act.