Distribution Map
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
NativeStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Wood Sandpiper is a slender, medium-sized migratory wader that visits Australia each year from its breeding grounds in northern Europe and Asia. Known for its delicate build and active feeding style, this sandpiper is more lightly built than many similar waders found in Australia.
Fun Facts
Wood Sandpipers sometimes nest in old songbird nests, including those built in trees, which is unusual for waders.
1. Bold white eyebrow above a streaked face and neck
2. Long yellow-green legs and slim, upright stance
3. Square white rump patch visible in flight
In Australia, Wood Sandpipers can be seen between August or September-April during spring and summer. They are most often found around inland freshwater wetlands, including swamps, flooded grasslands, shallow dams, sewage ponds, and vegetated pools. They prefer areas with reeds, grasses, or other cover and are rarely seen on open coastal mudflats. They are more numerous in northern Australia and become scarcer further south. Wood Sandpipers are usually seen alone or in small groups, often feeding at the water’s edge or among emergent vegetation. They breed between May-August across Northern Europe and Asia, including Scandinavia, Baltic regions, Russia, East through Siberia and Northeastern China.
In Australia, Wood Sandpipers are most often found around inland freshwater wetlands, including swamps, flooded grasslands, shallow dams, sewage ponds, and vegetated pools. They prefer areas with reeds, grasses, or other cover and are rarely seen on open coastal mudflats. They are more numerous in northern Australia and become scarcer further south. Wood Sandpipers are usually seen alone or in small groups, often feeding at the water’s edge or among emergent vegetation.
Physical Attributes
Height
21 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds44%
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