Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat

Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.

Common Redshank

Scientific name: Tringa ochropus


Common Redshank

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Family: SCOLOPACIDAE

Group: Birds

Shyness: Suspicious

Safe distance: 30 m

Breeding season / Courtship: 01.04-30.04

Gestation: 22 à 24 jours

Births: 23.05-24.06


Habitat:
Shorelines and coastal wetlands

Description:
The Green Sandpiper is a medium-sized wader, easily recognizable by its green-brown plumage with mottled patterns and its white tail, which gives it its name. During the breeding season, males display more colorful plumage, with iridescent green tones and white markings on the wings and tail. Outside of the breeding season, both sexes adopt a more uniform plumage, often olive-brown with shades of white and gray. The Green Sandpiper is primarily found in wetlands, marshes, estuaries, and lake shores, where it feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, insects, and crustaceans that it uncovers while probing in the mud. While this species is migratory, it does not travel as long distances as some other waders, primarily moving between Central Europe and its wintering sites in North Africa. The Green Sandpiper remains generally stable, but it faces threats from the loss of its wetland habitats and pollution.

Recommended lens:
>=300 mm

Photography tips:
Use a telephoto lens to capture images from a distance, respecting the discreet nature of the species. Photograph early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sandpiper is more active. Look for it in wetland areas: marshes, mudflats, and riverbanks are its preferred habitats. Be patient and discreet to avoid disturbing its natural behavior. The White-rumped Sandpiper is a species of Least Concern. Respect its natural habitat and minimize human disturbances.

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