Waterbird Wednesday week 6 - Common Sandpiper
The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is mainly a summer visitor to the UK, with a breeding population of around 15'000 pairs. Less than 100 birds winter in the country, predominantly in the south. They are a familiar species, recognized by it's small size and brown upper parts with white below. In fact, the name hypoleucos means 'whitish beneath'.
Identification
Overall, a smallish brown bird. In flight shows obvious white wing bar. Common Sandpipers have long tails and short legs. Distinct transition from white belly to brown bib, with white 'gap' stretching into upper parts making bib more obvious. Brown centre to tail with white edges. Bold white eye-ring and dark supercilium. Distinctive white and brown bars on underwing.
Juvenile
In juvenile plumage, a Common Sandpiper has obvious thin dark bars on the wing. The back feathers are fringed light brown, causing a 'scalloped' effect. The legs are green. Buff 'notching' in tertials.
Adult summer
An adult bird lacks the barring on the wings, with some dark spots on the wing feathers. The scapulars have dark centres and the back is quite plain. The legs are green. Tertials marked dark and buff.
Similar species
Spotted Sandpiper
Much shorter tail (almost covered by closed wings) and white wing-bar not reaching the body of the bird. Longer legs and more 'pot-bellied' appearance.
Juvenile
Yellow legs and lacking buff 'notching' in tertials - tertials plain. Bill pink rather than brown. More obviously marked wing-coverts. Stronger white eye-ring.
Adult winter
Short tailed, pink bill and yellow legs. Tertials unmarked. White eye-ring more obvious.
