Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

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
Muddy marginsOverhanging vegetationShaded margins

Look for the stark contrast between the blackish back and pure white rump in flight. They lack white wing-bars.

Green Sandpiper
Stats
Wingspan57–61 cm
Weight50–110 g
Length21–24 cm
Lifespan wild5–11 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeOld nest
Clutch size4 eggs
Incubation20–23 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
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Insectivore

🦀Crustaceans
🦗Insects
🐌Snails
🪱Worms

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🛶 Lake wetlands🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

Unlike almost all other waders, the Green Sandpiper regularly nests off the ground, using old tree nests built by other birds, sometimes several metres above the ground.

About

A dark-backed wader of freshwater habitats. It prefers small, sheltered water like forest pools and drainage ditches. It is a passage migrant and winter visitor across much of Europe. In flight, the very dark back contrasts sharply with a brilliant white rump.

Behaviour

Green Sandpipers are shy and easily flushed. They take off with a ringing 'weet-a-weet' call. They have a habit of bobbing their head and tail. Unusually for waders, they often nest in trees. They take over old nests of thrushes or pigeons in dense woods.

Similar species

Wood Sandpiper
🐦
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper
🐦
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
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