Greenshank

Characteristics

A sandpiper with bluish legs. It's not actually blue, it feels like a grayish blue-green. Also, juvenile birds have very yellow legs, so it is not possible to judge by color alone.

The whole body is characterized by its croissant-shaped body, long legs and beak, and is shaped like a sandpiper. The belly is white and the wings are brown with longitudinal mottling. A gray stripe runs from the neck to the top of the head.

Distinguishing between Greenshanks and Roughshanks

The redshank is very similar to the common redshank. With both of them, you can compare the size, but when you're alone, you have a hard time.

The distinguishing point is the bill. The bill of the Greenshank is slightly curved, while the bill of the Rhododendron is not curved and is a little short. Also, the base of the beak of the Greenshank is more gray than black.

Blueshank Calling

When it takes off, it calls "Pew pew pew" three times in a row in a high voice.

Ecology

They fly to tidal flats and paddy fields as migratory birds. In shallow water, they eat insects, crustaceans, lugworms, and other creatures, as well as small fish. It is sometimes found with other sandpipers, such as the Greater Redshank and the Redshank.

Habitat

Paddy fields in winter

I photographed a single bird searching for food in a shallow paddy field. They foraged at depths where their heads would not be completely submerged when their beaks were submerged. Not only in the water, but also in the footpaths.

Mixed with the Greater Sandpiper

In another rice field, it was mixed with a redshank. The difference in size was obvious when they were lined up side by side.