Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Also known as: Xivitona Vulgar
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
48 g
About This Species
A small, constantly bobbing wader found along the gravelly and rocky margins of rivers, lakes and reservoirs rather than open mudflats. It flies low over water on stiff, bowed wings between short, flickering glides, and gives a piping 'twee-wee-wee' call that carries well. Spring and summer are the best times to see breeding birds along freshwater margins, while passage migrants turn up on almost any waterside in April–May and July–September.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Approach slowly along a bank and stop well short of a feeding bird rather than walking directly at it, since it will simply move along the shoreline ahead of you if pressed.
- Nesting birds and their eggs are protected under wildlife law in most of its breeding range, and disturbing an active nest near a riverbank is an offence in several countries, so avoid lingering near likely nest sites in the breeding season.
- A pair of binoculars from a bench or bridge usually gives better views than trying to get close on foot.
LCAvesCharadriiformesScolopacidae
Seasonal Activity
2,489,080 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Scolopacidae
Traits
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 48 g
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.