Marsh Sandpiper

The Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, presents itself as a small, delicate wader, reminiscent of an elegant Greenshank. It is adorned with a long, fine bill and strikingly long yellowish legs. In its breeding attire, it sports a greyish-brown plumage, which lightens to a paler shade during the winter months. A distinctive white wedge marks its back, becoming particularly conspicuous in flight.

Identification Tips

To identify the Marsh Sandpiper, look for its long and slender bill, and the elongated, yellowish legs that set it apart from its counterparts. Its size ranges from 22 to 26 cm in length, with a wingspan of 55 to 59 cm, and it weighs between 45 to 120 grams. The bird's plumage transitions from a greyish-brown during breeding to a paler hue in the non-breeding season, with a pattern of diffuse brownish spots on the breast and neck.

Habitat

The Marsh Sandpiper breeds in the open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands, preferring habitats that range from easternmost Europe to the Russian Far East.

Distribution

This species is migratory, with the majority wintering in Africa and India, while others travel to Southeast Asia and Australia. They favor freshwater wetlands such as swamps and lakes during the winter months. In North America, they are considered rare vagrants, with sightings primarily in Alaska and California.

Behaviour

Marsh Sandpipers are typically observed alone or in small groups. They exhibit a preference for fresh water habitats during their winter sojourns.

Breeding

The Marsh Sandpiper is known to breed in the Palearctic region, favoring open grassy steppes and taiga wetlands for nesting and rearing their young.

Similar Species

While similar in appearance to the Greenshank, the Marsh Sandpiper is more closely related to the Common Redshank and the Wood Sandpiper. It can be distinguished by its finer bill and longer legs.

Conservation status

The Marsh Sandpiper is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is also one of the species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).