Common Sandpiper

The common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a small to medium-sized wader with a wide range, spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. It measures about 19–21 cm (7.5-8.3 in) in length with a wingspan ranging from 38–41 cm (15-16 in). This sandpiper has a brown upper body and white underparts. The white extends up besides the chest and past the shoulders. This is a characteristic feature, which helps distinguish it from similar sandpipers. Its short, straight bill and pale greenish legs are also key identification features.

This species is very similar to the spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius), found in the Americas, but it can be distinguished by the lack of spots on its breeding plumage and a more pronounced white wingbar visible in flight. Because of their separate ranges, these species are rarely confused with each other in the wild, except for the occasional vagrant individual.

Common sandpipers inhabit a variety of freshwater and coastal habitats, including rivers, lakeshores, estuaries, and tidal mudflats. Their diet mainly consists of small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. They forage by walking along the water’s edge, pecking at the ground, and occasionally darting after prey. Their feeding behavior is characterized by a constant bobbing motion, which helps distinguish them from other waders.

The common sandpiper is a migratory species, breeding in temperate and subarctic regions of Europe and Asia and wintering in Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. Migration typically occurs between July and October, with birds returning to their breeding grounds from April to June. During migration, they can be seen along coasts and inland waterways, often traveling alone or in small flocks.

The breeding season for the common sandpiper begins in late April and lasts until August. They are ground nesters, creating shallow scrapes lined with grass and leaves in well-concealed locations near water. Females lay 3-5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 21-23 days. After hatching, the chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile from birth. Fledging occurs approximately 22-28 days after hatching, during which time both parents tend to the young.

The common sandpiper is classified as least concern by the IUCN Red List. Despite being widespread and relatively common, it faces threats from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as agriculture, urban development, and pollution. Conservation efforts focus on preserving wetland habitats and monitoring population trends to ensure their continued stability.