Greenshank

The common greenshank which is also known as Tringa nebularia is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae who are considered to be typical waders. The genus name Tringa is derived from the Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird reported by Aristotle. It was given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599. The name nebularia comes from the Latin word nebula, which means "mist." This alludes to the greenshank's wet marshy environment, similar to the Norwegian Skoddefoll.

The Common Greenshank is a graceful wader that may be found in a range of coastal and inland wetlands throughout Europe and Asia. It breeds in the Palearctic taiga and forests. It is largely migratory, with trans-Saharan migrants accounting for the majority of Palearctic birds. They migrate on a broad front to the south, mostly along the beaches but often inland. The upcurved beak and long, greenish legs of the Common Greenshank are two distinguishing traits of this species.

In this article we are going to discuss the common greenshank's habitat, description and also few of the important and frequently asked questions will also be answered. 

Common Greenshank

• The Common Greenshank, often known as the Greenshank or Tringa nebularia, is a wader of the Scolopacidae family. The name "Tringa" comes from a New Latin term used by Aldrovandus in 1599 to designate a wading bird described by Aristotle. Nebularia, on the other hand, is the Latin word for "mist." This is due to Greenshanks' moist, swampy environment.

• Johan Ernst Gunnerus, a Norwegian bishop and botanist, was the first to discover this species in 1767. Greenshanks may be found all around the world, though they are most frequent in northern and southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Northern Europe and portions of Asia are the only places where they breed. Spotted Redshanks and Greater Yellowlegs are its nearest cousins. These three species live in close quarters.

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified this bird species as Least Concern because its population is widely scattered over the world and appears to be stable.

Description of a Common Greenshank

• Adult greenshanks with brown lesser-wing coverts have speckled and striped dark brown upper parts. They have a white back, rump, and upper tail coverts, with dark brown barred coverts on the longest of them. Their underparts are white, with blackish-brown streaking and spots on their neck, upper breast, and flanks.

• The greenshanks have a brown and black striped head, a white crown, and a brown streaked hindneck. They feature a black line from the lores to behind the eye and a white supercilium. White with brown stripes on the sides of the skull.

• Greenshanks have uniform grey upperparts, white breast, for neck, face, and underparts, and dark brown wing-coverts when they are not breeding.

• Females are comparable to males, with the exception that she is somewhat bigger.

• The upper parts of the non-breeding adult are a uniform grey color. White breasts, forenecks, faces, and underparts contrast with black wing-coverts.

• The non-breeding adult has browner upperparts with pale buff fringes than the juvenile. The neck and breasts might be streaked more strongly. 

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Distribution and the Habitat of the Common Greenshank 

• Except in North and South America, Common Greenshanks may be found all over the world. Greenshanks may be seen breeding throughout northern Europe and northern Asia. They go through central Asia and southern Europe. Individuals who do not reproduce seek sanctuary in Central and South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. Greenshanks are migratory birds that spend the winter on freshwater in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Australasia.

• The Common Greenshank prefers the taiga zone, but will also breed in forest clearings, moorlands with scattered trees, open bogs, and marshes.

• It can be spotted inland during migration in flooded meadows, marshes, sandbars, and dried-up lakes.

• It spends the winter in a variety of wetlands, both freshwater, and marine. Estuaries, sandy or muddy riverbeds, rocky or sandy beaches, salt marshes, lagoons, and mangroves are all places where they can be found.

The Behavior of the Common Greenshank 

• The Common Greenshank calls “tew tew tew'' in a strong, clear trisyllabic sound, especially in flight and when flushed. The alert is a harsh "tchuk" or "chip" sound. The noises are more diverse during the breeding season. The melody is repeated “too-hoo-too-hoo...”

• This species usually eats alone, however, congregations of 20-30 birds have been observed. It spends most of its time foraging on the water's surface, probing it with its long, upcurved beak. During the high tide season, they assemble in large groups to roost, usually on open land.

• Although some males are bigamous, Common Greenshanks establish monogamous partnerships. Males come to breeding areas to mark their territories and perform aerial displays, with females occasionally joining in. Both the male and female are responsible for nesting. Shallow depressions defined with feathers and plant fibers distinguish nests. In most cases, the female Common Greenshank lays four buffy-white eggs with dark brown markings. The eggs will be incubated for 23-24 days by both adults. If a man has two partners, the female will take care of the majority of the responsibilities.

• When the egg hatches, the chicks appear to be pale grey with dark markings and white underparts. As soon as the eggs hatch the chicks will leave the nest immediately and then hide among the vegetation. One parent may raise the children, or they may be separated and raised by both parents. Between 25 and 30 days after hatching, they fledge.

Feeding Habit of the Greenshank 

• These species usually feed in the shallow water and edge. Its diet mainly consists of small fish, crustaceans, annelids, mollusks, worms, shrimps, and small amphibians. Greenshanks have also been known to eat small rodents. They feed either by poking, sweeping, and lunging the water surface. 

• Greenshanks can be seen on their nesting grounds in the north and west of Scotland, on swampy moorland and peatland pools, from April to August.

• Between April and May, and July and September, passage birds can be spotted surrounding lakes, coastal wetlands, estuaries, and freshwater marshes.

• They may be found in the estuaries of South West England, Wales, West Scotland, and Northern Ireland throughout the winter.

Breeding in the Greenshanks 

• The Common Greenshank breeds in the spring and the eggs are laid between late April and June. They frequently return to the same breeding locations, which have numbers of about 1,5-10 birds per kilometer.

• The nest is a small dip on the ground lined with grass and other plant material. It's frequently kept beside a piece of deadwood.

• The female produces four buffy-white eggs with dark brown spots. Both adults take 23-24 days to incubate their eggs. If a guy has two mates, however, the female is responsible for the majority of the effort.

• The chicks are light grey with black markings above and white underparts as they hatch. They leave the nest shortly after hatching and disperse far from it, hiding in the forest. After the eggs hatch, one parent may leave soon, leaving the other adult to raise the children alone. However, in other cases, the parents divide the chicks among themselves, and the young are nurtured individually. Between 25 and 30 days after hatching, they fledge.

Status of Greenshanks All Over the World

• The breeding range of the Common Greenshank is large, and the population is considered secure.

• The worldwide population was projected to be 440,000 to 1,500,000 birds in the year  2006, and it is thought to remain steady.

• However, pollution, lower river flows, and human disturbance have resulted in habitat degradation and loss in the Chinese North Korean, and South Korean regions, putting this species at risk.

• However, the Common Greenshank is officially classified as Least Concern.