Actitis hypoleucos - Common Sandpiper
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.81-0.89 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Vase-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (26-28 per mm). They are all about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Occasionally, nodes gradually decrease in size to slightly thickened nodes distally. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. These prongs may be hard to find.
Field characters. Size 20 cm. Weight 52 g (38.0-70.0) (Dunning, 1993). Resembles Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola, not included in BRIS) and Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus, not included in BRIS), but with shorter legs and more 'pot-bellied'. Upperparts in summer brown with black arrows and chevrons, in winter greyer and plainer. Underparts white, breast always with conspicuous dark areas on sides, almost forming closed breast band. Pale supercilium and black eye-stripe. White wing bar obvious in flight. Bill rather long with pale base, only slightly curved, legs fleshy-green or greyish. Juvenile resembles adult, but with black and yellowish feather edgings, without black marks of adult. Continuously bobs its rear while on the ground, whether feeding or walking. Mainly alone or in twos, but on migration often in small flocks. Flight very characteristic, low over water with jerky vibrating wing beats and short glides on stiff, lowered wings.
Voice. Call high 'hee dee dee'. Song repetition of calls, interspersed with very high long-drawn whistle 'heeeeeee'.
Distribution. Quite common summer visitor throughout region. Winters in Mediterranean region and further south. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. During breeding season along brooks and lakes, often with rocks and boulders. On migration and in winter in variety of habitats but always near water.
Food. Invertebrates, caught near, along or in shallow water.