Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Vagrant · Size: 21–24 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across the Palearctic, from Scandinavia east to eastern Siberia; winters in western Europe, tropical Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia.

Identification

A medium-sized sandpiper with dark upperparts and contrasting clean white underparts. Most likely to be confused with Common Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper. Best told from Common Sandpiper by longer bill, significantly longer legs, and dark outer breast forming a dark strip across the whole breast (while Common appears to show a "bib"). From Wood Sandpiper, told by darker upperparts with less pale spotting, much darker breast, and supercilium absent or indistinct behind eye.

Habitat

Inland freshwater areas, such as canals and marshes; also intertidal areas on occasion.

Behaviour

Associates with Wood Sandpipers in freshwater habitat; posture and feeding action closer to Wood than Common Sandpiper. Usually feeds alone or in small groups.