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The wood sandpiper is a small wader with dark, speckled upperparts, a white underbody, and yellow legs, identified by a distinctive white stripe over its eye. It is a migratory bird that breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters in Africa or Asia. During its spring and autumn migrations, it stops at inland freshwater wetlands to rest and refuel. Key features in flight include a square white rump and no wing bars.
Identification
Appearance: A small, slim wader with dark grey-brown upperparts that are speckled or spotted, and a white underbody with a mottled breast.
Key features:
A conspicuous white stripe from the bill over the eye.
Yellowish legs.
Fine, straight bill.
In flight:
A square white rump is revealed.
No wing bars are visible.
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Habitat and behavior
Habitat: Prefers inland freshwater wetlands, such as ponds and pools, often with reeds, grass, and other emergent vegetation.
Behavior:
Can be found singly or in small flocks.
Is wary and will fly away if disturbed, often in a zig-zag pattern.
The flight is strong with clipped wing beats, and they may call with a quickly repeated, reedy whistle.
Migration
Migration routes: They are passage migrants in spring and autumn, traveling between their breeding grounds in northern Europe and Asia and their wintering grounds in Africa and southern Asia.
Stopovers: They use small, shallow wetlands to refuel during their long journeys.
Flight: Capable of flying non-stop for long distances, storing up to half their body weight in fuel for the journey.
Distribution
Breeding: Primarily breeds across northern Europe and Asia, including Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, and Russia.
