Green vs Common Sandpiper (1 Viewer)

[ecrvich]

Milan Italy yesterday. Only usable photo I managed to get before it disappeared. Through the bins I did observe bouncing/bobbing behavior much like Spotted Sandpiper back in the US, but I don't think that's enough to eliminate Green.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's a Green Sandpiper. They can bob a bit too.

 

[ecrvich]

It's a Green Sandpiper. They can bob a bit too.

Any ID points you can provide for my education? I read descriptions of each on BotW, but the poor photo quality and rear view didn't seem to offer many convincing clues. First-time Euro birding for me, though.

 

[Xenospiza]

Common Sandpiper has a long tail which clearly sticks out from underneath the wings. I think that is the easiest feature, as you can see it from far away and on really bad pictures.
It also has shorter legs, a different coloured bill etc., but this can be harder to judge.

 

[wheatearlp]

Green Sandpiper | The Wildlife Trusts. This should make things clearer 🤞

 

[ecrvich]

Common Sandpiper has a long tail which clearly sticks out from underneath the wings. I think that is the easiest feature, as you can see it from far away and on really bad pictures.
It also has shorter legs, a different coloured bill etc., but this can be harder to judge.

Ahhh, yes, I can see the tail/wingtip difference in sample photos of each now. Cornell's text description mentions similarity to Common, but only calls Green out for being "larger" and "darker above", which is not very helpful if you don't have both side by side! Massive gratitude for the help!

 

[andrew_s]

Common sandpipers have an extension of the white belly up in front of the wing, which is a pretty reliable ID feature.

Common Sandpiper 1582.jpg

Common Sandpiper

www.birdforum.net

 

[Julie50]

Common sandpipers have an extension of the white belly up in front of the wing, which is a pretty reliable ID feature.

Common Sandpiper 1582.jpg

Common Sandpiper

www.birdforum.net

I always ID with this. For me I find it fairly easy to see the front of the wing against the white of the body for the common, which is absent for the green. Hope this makes sense!

 

[ecrvich]

Common sandpipers have an extension of the white belly up in front of the wing, which is a pretty reliable ID feature.

Common Sandpiper 1582.jpg

Common Sandpiper

www.birdforum.net

I thought that too! But unfortunately in my photo it's not clear enough to be sure (to my eyes)...the view is mostly from behind, so it's not obvious whether that teeny sliver of white is that particular field mark or just a trick of light (or photo glitch).

 

[bobf711]

The white 'shoulder' (just in front of the folded wing) is usually a very good giveaway for Common Sandpiper, also if you see them take flight the Green Sandpiper has a white rump.