Wood Sandpiper  |  

The Wood Sandpiper is a small thin wader and member of the Tringinae family. The species has a length of 19–23 cm, a wingspan of 56–57 cm and a weight of 55 g. The species has a short straight bill and long legs. It is similiar in size to the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata, however has a longer neck and slimmer build, slightly longer, straighter bill and longer legs. The species is a dark grey-brown or plain brown above and spotted pailer and white below with a greyish wash on the breast. It has dark streaking on the foreneck and breasts as well as some barring on the fore-flanks. In all plumages the species shows a white supercilium, extending well behind the eye with greenish or yellow legs (Higgins & Davies 1996). The Wood Sandpiper is seen singly, in pairs, or small flocks; occasionally in flocks of hundreds. They associate freely with other waders and often feed in scattered groups. They are wary, nervous and excitable, particularly in flocks, although solitary birds will sometimes tolerate close approach (Higgins & Davies 1996).