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Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola
The Wood Sandpiper is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Scolopacidae bird family group which includes birds such as Snipes, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels, Shanks, Stints, Sandpipers, Ruff, Turnstones, Phalaropes. The description for the Wood Sandpiper (Latin name Tringa glareola) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Tringa glareola can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 266 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 357. You will find a picture of the Wood Sandpiper on page 369. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Wood Sandpiper between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Wood Sandpiper is known in Afrikaans as Bosruiter. The Wood Sandpiper has a height of 21 cms and weighs around 65 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured black. The Tringa glareola has a white coloured throat, olive legs and a black coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is black Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are olive Throat is white Back is black This bird has long legs ? ie legs the length of which are out of proportion to the bird's body size. This can be a useful identification guide (eg with the Lapwings). Feeding Habits ...This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Wood Sandpiper is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is an urban dweller as well, being at home in parks, gardens and in old vacated buildings Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Wood Sandpiper is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
