The marsh sandpiper is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to the Russian Far East. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific stagnatilis is from Latin stagnum, "swamp".
Region
Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia
Typical Environment
Breeds across open wetlands of steppe and taiga from easternmost Europe through Siberia to the Russian Far East. During migration and winter it spreads to sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Prefers shallow freshwater marshes, flooded meadows, rice paddies, and sewage ponds, but will also use saline lagoons and estuaries in winter. Often occurs in loose flocks and at well-watered agricultural sites.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A slender, elegant wader with very long greenish legs and a fine straight bill, the marsh sandpiper often forages in shallow water with quick, delicate picking movements. It breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from eastern Europe to the Russian Far East and winters widely across Africa, South Asia, and Australasia. Its call is a thin, high-pitched piping, and it is frequently seen in small flocks or mixed with other Tringa sandpipers.
Marsh Sandpiper in Pallikaranai Chennai
Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often forages and migrates in small groups, sometimes mixing with wood and green sandpipers. Nests on the ground near shallow water in open grassy wetlands; the nest is a simple scrape lined with vegetation. Both adults participate in incubation and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched piping notes, often rendered as a sharp 'cheek' or 'ti-it' in flight. Displays include repeated, delicate whistles over breeding territories.
