Wood sandpiper

Introduction: Wood sandpipers (Tringa glareola) are generally solitary birds, forming communal roosts in a mainly freshwater habitat that includes dams, pans, marshes and floodplains. They are good swimmers that roost in shallow water.

Distribution: Throughout Namibia less for southern Namib Desert. Observed in Etosha National Park, Rundu, Caprivi, northern Namibia, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, some regions of the Kalahari Desert and as far south as the Orange River.

Diet: Probes for flying insects, worms, spiders, small fish and frogs whilst wading or walking.

Description: Medium-sized wader often confused with the green sandpiper. Has a weak greeting call.

Breeding: Breeds out of the Namibian sphere, but some observations believe that wood sandpipers copulate before departure.

Size: 20cm.

Weight: 65g.

Wingspan: 56cm.