The common sandpiper

*Heri Tarmizi

The common sandpiper Image by Heri tarmizi

The Common Sandpiper, a familiar migratory shorebird often spotted in Aceh, is known for its solitary nature and widespread presence across various habitats, including beaches, fish ponds, paddy fields, and dams. Let's delve into the characteristics and behavior of this fascinating bird:

Color and Size:

The Common Sandpiper is characterized by its distinctive plumage, featuring a brownish-gray back with darker streaks, a white belly, and prominent white eye-rings. Its wings display subtle barring, while its legs are relatively long and pale in color. In flight, the white underside of its wings is conspicuous against its darker upperparts. Size-wise, the Common Sandpiper measures around 18-20 centimeters in length, making it a relatively small shorebird.

Sound and Behavior:

The Common Sandpiper is known for its shrill, distinctive call, often described as a repetitive "weet-weet" or "seet-seet." This vocalization serves various purposes, including territorial defense, communication with mates, and signaling alarm. When foraging, the Common Sandpiper displays characteristic bobbing movements, constantly teetering its body up and down as it walks along the shoreline or wades in shallow water. Its foraging behavior typically involves probing the mud or sand with its slender bill in search of small invertebrates, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.

Habitat:

The Common Sandpiper exhibits remarkable adaptability to a wide range of habitats, making it a versatile and widespread species. While it is commonly associated with coastal areas, where it can be found along sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mudflats, the Common Sandpiper also frequents inland habitats such as fishponds, paddy fields, and dams. It is often observed in freshwater environments, where it may feed along the water's edge or on exposed mudflats. During migration, the Common Sandpiper may also be encountered in estuaries, marshes, and wetlands.

Breeding Season:

The breeding season for the Common Sandpiper typically occurs during the summer months in its breeding range, which spans across northern Europe and Asia. Breeding pairs establish territories in suitable habitats, often near freshwater bodies such as rivers, streams, or lakes. The female constructs a simple ground nest lined with vegetation, where she lays a clutch of eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young chicks after hatching. Once the breeding season concludes, the Common Sandpiper embarks on its annual migration to warmer wintering grounds in Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia.

In Aceh, the presence of the Common Sandpiper adds to the region's rich biodiversity, offering birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to observe this captivating shorebird in its natural habitat. However, like many migratory species, the Common Sandpiper faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and disturbances along its migratory routes. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving the diverse habitats utilized by the Common Sandpiper are essential for ensuring the continued survival of this remarkable bird species for generations to 

Image by Heri tarmizi