Sandpiper, Common

Conservation status:

Common Passage Migrant and Winter Visitor

Description:

Short-legged wader with almost uniform brown upperparts, clean white underparts running up in a wedge between wing and breast side; rather long tail projecting far beyond wing-tips; short neck, horizontal stance, deep chest and constantly bobbing rear-body are also conspicuous features (though shared with Terek, which see). Additionally, has a unique flight action low over water with vibrating, shallow and stiff wing-beats, alternating with short glides. Flight pattern shows brown upperparts with long and distinct, but rather thin, white wing-bar (also obvious from below) and brown rump and tail with pale outer edges. Juvenile has wing-coverts barred buff and dark.