Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

Genus · Shanks, Tattlers, and Allies Family · Sandpipers and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Lake wetlandsMuddy marginsScrub wastelandWater edges

Listen for the loud triple whistle. Look for the pale appearance and the slightly upturned bill. It is usually more solitary than Redshanks.

Common Greenshank
Stats
Wingspan68–72 cm
Weight140–270 g
Length30–35 cm
Lifespan wild5–18 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size4 eggs
Incubation24–27 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Carnivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🐸Frogs
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌊 Marine🌾 Marsh🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

The bill is slightly 'scimitar-shaped'. This upward curve helps the bird snatch fast-moving prey from the water surface.

About

A large wader with long, greenish-grey legs and a sturdy, slightly up-curved bill. It breeds on northern moorlands and bogs. It winters in coastal wetlands and salt marshes. It is a wary bird and often stands solitary at the water's edge. Its plumage is a mix of grey and white.

Behaviour

The Greenshank is famous for its loud alarm call: a sharp, three-note 'teu-teu-teu'. They are active hunters and sometimes run through shallow water to chase fish. In flight, they show dark wings and a prominent white 'wedge' on the back stretching up from the tail.

Similar species

Spotted Redshank
🐦
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropus
Common Redshank
🐦
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
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