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  • Green sandpiper

Green sandpiper

Green sandpiper
Green sandpiper
  • Scientific name: Tringa ochropus
  • Bird family: Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropes
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Audio

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Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Key information

The green sandpiper is 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.

What they eat:

Insects.

Measurements:

Length:
22cm

Population:

UK breeding:
1-2 pairs
UK wintering:
910 birds

Identifying features:

Green sandpiper

Green Sandpiper
Feather colour: Black Brown White
Leg colour: Brown Green Yellow
Beak: Black Green Long Thin
Natural habitats: Farmland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

  • Common sandpiper
    Common sandpiper
  • Wood sandpiper
    Wood sandpiper

Where and when to see them

The green sandpiper is 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.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Green sandpiper distribution map

Green sandpipers are seen in the UK most between July and March.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Lytchett Fields
  • RSPB Matford Marshes
  • RSPB Rye Meads

Video

Video

Green sandpiper in its wetland habitat.

Green sandpiper in its wetland habitat.

Play video
Green sandpiper video screenshot

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