Species Profile

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

8–10 years

Length

18–20 cm

Weight

40–60 g

Wingspan

32–35 cm

Migration

Long-distance Migrant

A lively shoreline dancer, this small wader bobs and teeters along waterways worldwide, flashing its distinctive white wing-bar in flight.

Also known as: Eurasian Sandpiper

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Gallery

Appearance

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.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: Grey
Beak: Dark Grey
Legs: Olive

Markings

Dark upperparts, white underparts. Sexes similar, but females larger

Tail: Short and square

Attributes

Agility85/100

Strength40/100

Adaptability80/100

Aggression30/100

Endurance75/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

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.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

ResidentJan, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

England

ResidentJan, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Scotland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wales

ResidentJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Rutland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cambridgeshire

ResidentApr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Bedfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Buckinghamshire

BreedingApr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Berkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cheshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cornwall

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Cumbria

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Derbyshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Devon

ResidentYear-round

Dorset

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Durham

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

East Riding of Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Essex

ResidentJan, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

East Sussex

ResidentYear-round

Gloucestershire

ResidentJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Hampshire

ResidentYear-round

Herefordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Hertfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Kent

ResidentJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Merseyside

ResidentJan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Lancashire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Leicestershire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Lincolnshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

London

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Manchester

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Northumberland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Norfolk

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Northamptonshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Nottinghamshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

North Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Oxfordshire

ResidentJan, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

South Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

West Midlands

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Suffolk

BreedingFeb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Shropshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Somerset

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Surrey

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Staffordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Stockton-on-Tees

BreedingJan, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Warwickshire

ResidentApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

West Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Worcestershire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

West Sussex

ResidentJan, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

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Diet

Common Sandpipers primarily feed on small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms. They forage by picking prey from the ground or water's surface, often running along shorelines and probing in shallow water with their bills.

Behaviour

Common Sandpipers are known for their distinctive 'teetering' walk, constantly bobbing their tails up and down. When flying, they exhibit a characteristic flight pattern with stiff, bowed wings and rapid wingbeats. These birds are often seen alone or in small groups, foraging along water edges.

Calls & Sounds

The Common Sandpiper's call is a distinctive, high-pitched 'tweet-tweet' or 'swee-wee'. During the breeding season, males produce a trilling song in flight, described as a rapid series of 'ti-ti-ti' notes. Their alarm call is a sharp, piercing 'peet'.

Nesting & Breeding

Common Sandpipers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically begins in May. Males perform display flights to attract females, often calling loudly.

Nests are usually shallow scrapes on the ground, lined with grass and leaves, often hidden in vegetation near water. Females lay 3-4 eggs, which are pale buff with brown spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 21-22 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching, fledging after 26-28 days.

Conservation

While listed as Least Concern globally, Common Sandpipers face threats from habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetlands and coastal areas, particularly their breeding grounds in northern Europe and wintering sites in Africa and Asia.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 2,600,000 - 3,200,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Decreasing^[2]

Overall population is decreasing, due to habitat loss and climate change

Elevation

Up to 3,000 meters

Additional Details

Egg size:: Approximately 3cm x 2cm
Predators:: Common Sandpipers are preyed upon by various birds of prey, including falcons and hawks, as well as mammals such as foxes and stoats.
Alarm calls:: Rapid, high-pitched trills
Breeding age:: 1
Maturity age:: 1
Feeding times:: Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
Major threats:: Habitat loss due to development and climate change
Parental care:: Both parents incubate eggs and feed chicks
Primary calls:: Distinctive three-part whistle
Social habits:: Mostly solitary, but can form small groups
Egg appearance:: Oval, buff-colored with dark spots
Feeding habits:: Probes mud and shallow water with beak to find food
Breeding season:: May to July
Diet variations:: Varies with location and season
Fledging period:: Approximately 4 weeks
Average lifespan:: 5
Call description:: Series of short, sharp, high-pitched notes
Daily activities:: Active during the day, foraging for food along shores
Nesting location:: On the ground, near water
Number of broods:: 1 brood
Incubation period:: Around 21 days
Nest construction:: Shallow scrape lined with plant material
Migration patterns:: Long-distance migration between breeding and wintering grounds
Migratory patterns:: Long-distance migrant, travelling from Europe and Asia to Africa
Age related changes:: None known
Prey capture method:: Probing and pecking
Conservation efforts:: Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Territorial behavior:: Defends feeding and nesting territories
Reproductive behavior:: Monogamous, often returning to same breeding site each year
Special dietary needs:: None known
Clutch characteristics:: 3-4 eggs
Interaction with other species:: Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive when defending territory

Birdwatching Tips

Look for their distinctive bobbing motion along shorelines
Listen for their sharp, clear 'tweet-tweet' call
Observe their low, skimming flight over water
In the UK, watch for them near freshwater bodies from April to September

Did You Know?

Common Sandpipers can swim and dive when threatened despite not having webbed feet.
They have been known to return to the same breeding site for multiple years.
Some individuals can fly up to 6,000 km during migration.