Common Sandpiper

1. Constant tail-bobbing motion while walking or feeding.

2. Prominent white “shoulder spur” forming a triangle at rest.

3. White wingbar and dark rump visible in low, stiff-winged flight

Common Sandpipers do not breed in Australia; they migrate here from Eurasian breeding grounds for the southern summer. They feed visually on insects, small crustaceans, worms, and other invertebrates, often picking prey from the ground or shallow water, and sometimes catching insects in flight. Their characteristic bobbing is thought to aid balance and possibly deter predators. At night, they may roost in small groups, but during the day, they usually feed alone`.`

In Australia, Common Sandpipers are found along the edges of freshwater and sheltered coastal habitats, including rocky riverbanks, lakeshores, mangroves, and even urban canals. They prefer areas with some cover and are rarely seen on wide open mudflats. These birds are usually solitary or in pairs and defend small feeding territories, making them less likely to join large flocks.