Common greenshank

The common greenshank is a slender wading bird with long legs, often seen in marshy areas. Its name comes from Latin and Greek words hinting at its misty wetland homes and sandpiper relatives. You'll spot it by its distinctive bobbing tail and preference for damp habitats.

• Its scientific name references mist, a nod to its marshy home.
• Aristotle wrote about similar tail-bobbing wading birds centuries ago.
• Part of the large sandpiper family, with over 90 species.