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Birds by name

Green sandpiper

Conservation status: Amber

A very contrasting wader which looks like a large house martin in flight. Its dark, almost black upperparts, pale underparts and white rump are distinctive. It frequently bobs up and down when standing. It often appears nervous and will fly off with a low zig-zagging flight when disturbed.

Overview

Latin name

Tringa ochropus

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Where to see them

Largely confined to England and Wales. Look for migrant birds near almost any freshwater margins - marshes, lakes, gravel pits and rivers. In winter it likes sewage works, watercress beds and freshwater marshes.

When to see them

Seen in the UK most between July and March.

What they eat

Insects

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-1-2 pairs910 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Green sandpiper

Green sandpiper
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, greenish
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Leg colour: brown, green, yellow
  • Behaviour: on ground, wagging or flicking tail, bird walks/runs on the ground

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