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.

Green Sandpiper

Scientific name: Actitis hypoleucos


Green Sandpiper

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Family: SCOLOPACIDAE

Group: Birds

Shyness: Suspicious

Safe distance: 30 m

Breeding season / Courtship: 01.04-30.0

Gestation: 21 à 23 jours

Births: 22.05-23.06


Habitat:
Shorelines and coastal wetlands

Description:
The Common Sandpiper is a small, agile, and active wader, easily recognizable by its light brown plumage, speckled with darker spots, and its long, slender legs. It is also distinguished by its short, straight bill and its energetic and nervous behavior. It is commonly found along riverbanks, estuaries, marshes, and lakes, where it hunts by running along the shores, capturing small insects, worms, and crustaceans found in the mud and shallow water. This migratory bird typically breeds in temperate regions of Europe and Asia and migrates to North Africa for the winter. While the population of the Common Sandpiper remains stable in many regions, the species is threatened by the loss of wetland habitats and the effects of climate change, which alters aquatic ecosystems. The species is protected in some areas where it is found.

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 Common Greenshank is more active. Look for it in various wetland habitats: riverbanks, lake shores, estuaries, marshes, and mudflats. Be patient and discreet to avoid disturbing its natural behavior. The Common Greenshank is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Respect its natural habitat and minimize human disturbances.

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