From Opus

Photo by I4ani
Donana, Spain, May 2010

Actitis hypoleucos

[edit] Identification

18-20cm. Medium to small wader

• Greyish-brown upperparts and breast
• Obvious white gap between carpals and breast
• White underparts
• Yellow legs
• Pale-based, dark tipped bill
• White eye-ring

Juvenile
Photo by markranner
Filey Dams, North Yorkshire, September 2010

Juvenile

• Barred upperparts
• Buff-edged wing feathers

[edit] Distribution

Breeds from western Europe to Japan between 30°N to 56°N.

Non-breeding range includes sub-Saharan Africa and Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

[edit] Habitat

A wide variety of aquatic habitats, including shores of freshwater bodies, estuaries and salt-marshes.

[edit] Behaviour

Photo by targetman
Lincolnshire, August 2009

Easily told by its bobbing habit as it walks along the shore. Found around freshwater bodies also breeds close to water in both habitats.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects and crustaceans.

[edit] Vocalisation

Quite a vocal bird. A high-pitched pee-pee-pee in flight.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728
3. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links