Birds · Charadriiformes · Scolopacidae

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The common sandpiper is a small, unobtrusive wader of river banks, brown above and white below, with a characteristic white wedge between the breast and the wing. Its most recognisable feature is the constant bobbing of its rear end as it walks. It flies close to the water with stiff, shallow wingbeats, alternating glides with the wings bowed downwards.

Weight

33 g – 84 g

Size

18 cm – 21 cm

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

OceanFreshwaterInsectivore Diurnal Solitary Bird Ocean Freshwater

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Fun facts

GeneralIt flies low over the water on stiff wings and bobs its body when it lands.
It never stops bobbing its tail and hindquarters as it walks, a constant movement whose function is still debated: it has been suggested that it disguises its outline against moving water or that it signals alertness to predators.
Its flight is unmistakable: close to the surface of the water, with rapid, stiff wingbeats alternating with glides on downcurved wings.
It is one of the most widespread waders in Eurasia and in Spain it is seen on any river, reservoir or pond, though almost always alone rather than in a flock.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Banks of rivers, streams, reservoirs, lagoons and coasts across Eurasia; winters in Africa and southern Asia
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 22 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 4 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actitis_hypoleucos