>> GENERAL >>>>>
– medium-sized wader, largest sandpiper, larger than Common Blackbird
– nocturnal migrant, local diurnal movements
– migrates singly or in small flocks
– very vocal
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, 2CY/1W
BIF0196, 24/01/2014, Lake Albert, Rebublic of Uganda, Mathias Putze
– white rump and back-‘vedge’ as in Marsh Sandpiper but stronger and longer bill, slightly up curved
– bill prominently bi-coloured with silvery blue base and darker tip
– aged as 1W by pale fringed tips of secondaries and greater coverts
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, JUV/1CY
BIF3558, 04/08/2021, Salzhaff, Germany, Roland Neumann
– light underwings with weak but regular markings
– white supercilium not beyond the eyes
– note that one leg is pulled in
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, JUV/1CY
BIF0194, 31/12/2012, Merdja Zerga, Morocco, Mathias Putze
– long leg projection but not as long as in Marsh Sandpiper
– diffuse barring on tail
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, JUV/1CY
BIF0195, 31/12/2012, Merdja Zerga, Morocco, Mathias Putze
– plain dark upperwings
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, JUV/1CY
BIF3559, 04/08/2021, Salzhaff, Germany, Roland Neumann
same as BIF3558
– all fresh feathers with pale fringes on coverts indicates 1CY
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, AD BREED->NBREED
BIF3571, 04/08/2021, Salzhaff, Germany, Roland Neumann
– rather coarsely breast pattern extending to flanks indicates AD
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia NBREED
BIF0483, 04/01/2015, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, Mathias Putze
– long feet projection, pale underwings, strong breast and a whitish ‘face’ are good ID features at distance
– in winter plumage at distance gives a greyish white impression
>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, calls in flight
BIF0198, 10/09/2014, Döllnitzsee, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, calls in flight
BIF2958, 21/07/2018, Karrendorfer Wiesen, Germany, Patrick Franke
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Redshank
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