Shade grown tropical evergreen coffee forests are home to many bird species. A comparative study of the widely distributed Common Sandpiper bird reveals that there are well marked and readily recognizable differences in size, coloration and other details in these species which range over a wide area.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Subclass | Neornithes |
Infraclass | Neognathae |
Superorder | Neoaves |
Order | Charadriiformes |
Suborder | Scolopaci |
Family | Scolopacidae |
Genus | Actitis |
Species | A. hypoleucos |
Description

Average length | 20cm |
Average mass | 40g |
Range Lemgth | 18 to 24 cm |
Average wing span | 35cm |
Range Elevation | Sea level to 4000m |
Distribution and habitat
Diet
Breeding
Breeding season for the Common Sandpiper takes place from April to July. During this time, their head, upper breast and under-parts become a greenish-brown colour with a delicate dark streaking.
Reproduction
IUCN threat status
Least Concern
Conservation
The common sandpiper is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or Bonn Convention), which aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range and is also listed on the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), which calls upon parties to undertake actions to help conserve bird species that are dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. .However, there are not currently known to be any conservation measures specifically targeted at this small, widespread wader.
Conclusion
Our greatest need today is for careful and rational field work on all birds inhabiting the coffee landscape and to learn from their interactions with the forest ecosystem. Disturbing the ecological cycle may change the local climate, which in turn will lead to wide scale implications for both regional as well as global climate stability. This has a profound impact on all bird communities.