Common Greenshank illustration
Birdsong field guide

Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

A large, elegant sandpiper characterized by its long greenish legs and slightly upturned, sturdy bill. It is known for its wary nature and energetic foraging behavior in shallow waters.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and ringing three-note whistle: 'tew-tew-tew'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Rec. Astrid Cervantes · BelgiumCC BY-NC-SAXeno-canto

Field notes

  • Possesses a distinctive white wedge-shaped patch on the back that is highly visible during flight.
  • Unlike many other waders, it frequently preys on small fish, often chasing them through shallows.
  • The bill is notably recurved (upcurved), helping the bird to sweep for prey in soft substrate.
  • Highly migratory, with some populations traveling over 10,000 kilometers between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering sites.
  • Nests are typically placed on the ground in open bogs, often positioned next to a piece of wood or a stone to serve as a landmark.
Habitat
Coastal estuaries, saltmarshes, and mudflats during migration; breeds in taiga bogs and northern moorlands.
Range
Breeds across northern Eurasia; migrates to Africa, Southern Asia, and Australasia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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