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Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia
The Common Greenshank 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 Common Greenshank (Latin name Tringa nebularia) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Tringa nebularia can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 270 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 354. You will find a picture of the Common Greenshank on page 368. 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. This bird is known as Greenshank in the Roberts 6th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Common Greenshank between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Common Greenshank is known in Afrikaans as Groenpootruiter. The Common Greenshank has a height of 33 cms and weighs around 170 gms. The head is coloured white while the bill is coloured brown. The Tringa nebularia has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown 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 white Eyes are brown Bill is brown Legs are yellow Throat is white Back is brown 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 Common Greenshank is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...It is also seen in flocks |
