The Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) is a medium-sized wading bird found in wetlands. A shank is a leg.

The Common Greenshank has a dark brown or grey-brown back and wing feathers, a white chest, and mottled brown and white neck. It has long greenish legs. It has black eyes, and its beak is long, grey, and upturned.

Common Greenshank

It grows to about 32 centimetres (12.5 inches).

The Common Greenshank is from Europe and migrates to Africa, India, or Australasia in winter.

It likes freshwater marshes, rivers, and streams. It feeds on small insects, fish, and frogs.

It breeds on dry ground near the wetlands. Females lay about four eggs in a hollow in the ground.

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM