Actitis hypoleucos
Least Concern
Common Sandpipers are petite and distinctive wading birds, often spotted along the riverbanks and lakeshores across Europe and Asia. Renowned for their characteristic 'teetering' motion and sharp, three-part whistle, these nimble birds are long-distance migrants, making an incredible journey to Africa each winter.
Males and females have similar plumage
Brown
Brown
White, Black
White, Black
Brown
Brown
Short
Black
Black
Greenish Yellow
Greenish Yellow
Dark upperparts, white underparts. Sexes similar, but females larger
Less pronounced than adults
Short and square
Short and square
17cm to 21cm
Length
32cm to 36cm
Wingspan
30g to 60g
Weight
Click on an image below to see the full-size version
Common Sandpiper close up
Common Sandpiper wading through the mud
Eurasian Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper foraging for food
Common Sandpiper nest with eggs
Distinctive three-part whistle
Series of short, sharp, high-pitched notes
Rapid, high-pitched trills
Active during the day, foraging for food along shores
Mostly solitary, but can form small groups
Defends feeding and nesting territories
Long-distance migration between breeding and wintering grounds
Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive when defending territory
Insects, Crustaceans, Worms
Probes mud and shallow water with beak to find food
Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
Probing and pecking
Varies with location and season
None known
On the ground, near water
Shallow scrape lined with plant material
May to July
1 brood
Oval, buff-colored with dark spots
Approximately 3cm x 2cm
3-4 eggs
Around 21 days
Approximately 4 weeks
Both parents incubate eggs and feed chicks
Breeds across Europe and Asia, winters in Africa
Freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes and marshes
Sea level to 2000m
Long-distance migration between breeding and wintering grounds
Freshwater, Coastal
Temperate, Tropical
Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.
Resident or Present
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant
3
10
5 year(s)
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Monogamous, often returning to same breeding site each year
None known
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Habitat loss due to development and climate change
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Overall population is decreasing, due to habitat loss and climate change
Other names:
Eurasian Sandpiper, Water Pipit
Family:
ScolopacidaePopulation size:
700,000
Population trend:
Decreasing
Conservation status:
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
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