Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Common Greenshank is a Eurasian and a rare visitor to the United States, mainly during spring migration. Its greenish legs, slightly upturned bill, and white wedge extending up the back in flight help distinguish it from the Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca).

Appearance

Appearance: This lanky shorebird is about 12 in (30.5 cm) long. It is gray above and white below, with greenish legs and a long bill that bends slightly upward.
Voice: A typical call is a sharp, level series of three notes.

Look-alikes

Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs has bright yellow legs and usually looks more sharply marked. Common Greenshank has greenish legs and shows a white wedge extending up the back in flight.

Why they get mixed upThey are close in size and shape, and both have long, slightly upturned bills.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: coastal mudflats
freshwater wetlands
shallow shorelines
Range: It breeds across northern Eurasia and winters from Africa and southern Asia to Australia. In the United States it occurs only in small numbers, chiefly in Alaska.
Seasonal presence: rare
Preferred conditions: It feeds where shallow fresh or salt water leaves mud and sand within reach.
Migration: Most birds travel between northern Eurasian breeding grounds and wintering areas farther south.

Behavior

Diet: It takes aquatic insects, , worms, frogs, and small fish from shallow water.

Life cycle

Nest: It nests on the ground in open, wet northern landscapes such as moorland and marshy grassland.
Clutch size: 3–4 eggs

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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