Very slender medium-sized wader (about 25 cm or 10 in), with greenish legs and a very long and thin dark bill. Grey-cinnamon upperparts with a soft darker barring. Flanks with dark brown mottling and white underparts, neck and breast, with also a soft mottling. More discreet winter plumage, greyish on the back and white on the lower areas. In flight the legs protrude from behind the tail and the bird does not show wing strips, but a white rump.
Wetlands
Species of Asian origin linked in its breeding areas to steppes and inland wetlands. During the wintering period and the migratory passage it prefers salt marshes, salt ponds and coastal wetlands.
Occasional bird in the province. It is not present on a regular basis. The Marsh Sandpiper starts its reproduction period at the end of April. Nest on the ground, in colonies or alone. One annual laying of 4 to 5 eggs. This wader feeds on invertebrates that it catches in shallow waters.
Uncommon species and that is not watched every year. Almost all observations are located on the mouth of the Guadalhorce.
Its surname in Spanish is "slender", due to its subtle bill and legs that, even within the genre of the stylized sandpipers, make this wader stand out as the most graceful of all the species of the group.
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