General

Common Sandpiper: Eurasian counterpart to the Spotted Sandpiper; has dusky gray upperparts, heavily streaked breast, and sparkling white underparts. Best distinguished by its habit of standing in a semi-crouch and bobbing back and forth. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has tiny white speckles on upperparts and less streaking on breast.

Range and Habitat

Common Sandpiper: Breeds across much of Europe and Asia in temperate and subtropical regions. In nonbreeding season, wanders widely along fresh and salt water edges throughout Europe, Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Australia. Very rarely found near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Found along the water's edge and grasslands.

Breeding and Nesting

Common Sandpiper: Nests along a wide variety of freshwater lakes and rivers across Europe and Asia. Lays four pink gray eggs with fine brown red speckles. Both parents incubate 21 to 22 days, and both parents look over young as they feed themselves.

Foraging and Feeding

Common Sandpiper: Frequents rocky shorelines, bobbing as it walks along the water edge picking small invertebrates from the surface of rocks and mud.

Vocalization

Common Sandpiper: Call is a shrill, piping "swee wee wee."

Similar Species

Common Sandpiper: Spotted Sandpiper is nearly identical, but has shorter tail, during the breeding season develops heavily spotted breast and bright orange legs and bill.