Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos is an Old World migrant recorded in New Zealand as a vagrant. It differs from similar Tringa sandpipers through its low horizontal posture and constantly bobbing rear body. The upperparts are brown and the underparts white, with a white wedge rising before the folded wing. Flight reveals a strong white wing-bar.

New Zealand records are scattered around freshwater margins and sheltered coasts. The normal migration connects Eurasian breeding grounds with Africa, Asia and Australia. It picks insects and small crustaceans from water edges and occasionally snatches prey in flight. Birds characteristically teeter while walking.

The New Zealand classification is Vagrant. No site is dependable; major wetlands such as Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora occasionally attract one.