Sandpipers · Shorebirds
Green Sandpiper
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Tringa ochropus
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Voice
Call
Alarm
Song
How to recognize it
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21–24 cm long
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Brown back with white spots; spots strongest in breeding adults, sparser in winter and juveniles
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Short dark bill, dark green legs
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In flight, dark wings and a white base to the tail
About the species
At the water’s edge, the Green Sandpiper’s upperparts look dark greenish brown, set against a greyish head and chest and clean white underparts. Small pale spots break up its back, while a bright white rump flashes above the dark wings in flight. Its short, dark bill and greenish legs are easy to glimpse when it pauses.
It works along the water with steady steps, constantly tipping its tail, and may feed at dusk. A soft "twin" accompanies its search for food; in flight, its call becomes a clear three-note whistle. For nesting, it uses an old tree nest built by another species.
It uses freshwater ponds, marshes and wet woodland, and may stop at very small pools on migration. It picks small invertebrates from mud, including aquatic insects and crustaceans, and also takes small fish. After breeding across northern Europe and Asia, it moves south for winter to parts of southern Europe, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
Where to find
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At the muddy edge of a freshwater pond at dusk, watch for slow steps and pecks as small invertebrates are picked from the mud.
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In summer at dusk, beside a bog in a spacious, damp coniferous forest, listen for a soft, single-note "twin" during foraging.
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During the breeding season in coniferous forest, look into the trees: the green sandpiper often perches on branches and may use an abandoned fieldfare nest.
