Shore Buddies Wisdom Wednesday 11/18/2020
Common sandpiper can reach 7.5 to 8.25 inches in length and 1.5 to 2.5 ounces of weight. Females are slightly larger than males. Upper parts of the body (head, back and upper part of the chest) are covered with grayish-brown plumage and dark streaks. Bottom side of the body is white colored. Wings have prominent white bar that is visible only during the flight. Common sandpiper has long, straight bill, small body and short legs. Common sandpiper spends a lot of time on the ground. Its head and rear part of the body are constantly bobbing while it walks or feeds on the ground. This unusual behavior is known "teetering". Common sandpiper has stiff-winged style of flying. Its flight consists of rapid, shallow wing beats combined with short glides. Common sandpiper often flies close to the ground or surface of the water. Common sandpiper collects food from the surface of the ground. It usually searches food on the sandy, pebbly and rocky edges of the rivers and nearby grasslands and meadows. Common sandpiper cuts its prey in smaller pieces before it swallows it. Common sandpiper forages alone or in small groups, but it roosts in groups of 30 to 100 birds during the night. Common sandpiper can survive up to 12 years in the wild.
https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/common_sandpiper_facts/1850/