COMMON GREENSHANK
Tringa nebularia
Groenpootruiter (Afrikaans)
HABITAT
Between late July and early May this palaeartic migrant may be found on dams, pans, vleis,
seashores and estuaries throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
TYPE
A medium sized wader with long legs and a long bill which is often two-toned dark and light
and slightly upturned. The upper parts are mottled grey and the under side white with streaking at
the side of the chest. There is a dark line from the bill to the eye and the face is whitish. The
lower back is white as is the tail and both are barred. The eyes are brown and the legs and feet
grey green or yellow green.
BREEDING
Extrelimital, breeding in northern Europe.
FOOD
Insects, molluscs, crustaceans, worms, tadpoles and fish fry. Forages in shallow water, wades
quickly, darting the bill forward to catch prey or probe the substrate.
STATUS
A common, nonbreeding, palaeartic migrant.
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