Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Other Names

Tringa hypoleucos   Eurasian Sandpiper   Chevalier guignette   Flußuferläufer   Andarríos Chico   Drillsnäppa   Oeverloper   Piro-piro piccolo

World: Widespread across Eurasia and winters in southern Europe, central Asia, eastern and southern Africa the Philippines, Indian Ocean and Pacific Islands and Australia.

Kenya: Widespread in areas with pools lakes or rivers and on the coast. Rare in the North except around Lake Turkana.

A Northern Hemisphere migrant, present in Kenya from July to April. A small sandpiper that can be identified by the wedge of white feathers extending from the breast up along the edge of the wing and by the continual bobbing movement as it walks.