Common Sandpiper Identification Challenge

P Plate ID CHALLENGE Wader Wednesday 24 June 2020 by Karen Dick

This medium-sized solitary bird was seen at Ashmore Reef, Western Australia in November, bobbing along the rocky shore.

Common Sandpiper, Ashmore Reef by Karen Dick

Solution:

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Solitary and bobbing are key clues for this migrant that comes to Australia from Asia, arriving from July and leaving again around March, most numerous in the north, but occasionally reaching as far south as Tasmania. The key diagnostic identification feature is the white wedge in front of the bend in the wing, which is clear in both photos here. In addition, they have a tail that extends far beyond the wing tips. This beautiful, understated wader is indeed a Common Sandpiper. They have a distinctive flight, low over the water and a thin multi-note whistle that are quite distinctive in the field.

Learn more about this bird here: http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/common-sandpiper

Comments:

Sonja Ross: I think the flecked feathers on the wing also help with id.

Pamela Keil: “Bobbing along” in the description is also a key trait.

Elke Link: Found it (I think) because of the very white stripe above the wing.

Carol Challis: Waders are tricky so out came the ABG. So based on my phone screen, I think it’s a CS with the beak shape, size and the white belly and little stripe

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