Actitis hypoleucos
The Common Sandpiper displays a brown upperside with a distinctive white underside. Its back and wings have a mottled brown pattern, while the breast has fine brown streaks. The bird has a medium-length, straight bill and olive-green legs.
There is little difference between males and females. Juveniles resemble adults but have buff-tipped wing coverts and a more barred appearance on the upperparts.
Length
18cm to 20cm
Wingspan
32cm to 35cm
Weight
40g to 60g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Dark Grey
Leg Colour
Olive
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Common Sandpipers inhabit many freshwater and coastal habitats, including rivers, lakes, estuaries, and rocky shores. They breed across Europe and Asia, from the UK to Japan.
During winter, they migrate to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. They are summer visitors in the UK, arriving in April and departing by September, with some birds overwintering in southern England.
Up to 3,000 meters
Temperate, Tropical, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Sandpiper. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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