Common Sandpipers are easily identified by their habit of "teetering": constantly bobbing head and tail while on the ground, particularly when feeding.

They appear to be the least specialised and eat a wide variety of prey from minute invertebrates to worms, insects, spiders and centipedes. They may even scavenge from food scraps thrown out by people from boats or waterside activities.

Common Sandpipers feed restlessly and deliberately. They run along the water's edge, visually locating prey on the surface and not by probing in the mud. They may even forage in concrete drainage ditches, and inland grasslands. They may also dash after prey that they spot some distance away.

Common Sandpipers are abundant but typically feed alone or in pairs, avoiding areas where other more gregarious species feed. But they roost in small groups of about 30 and migrate in flocks.

Common Sandpipers usually arrive at their breeding grounds in pairs. They prefer to nest near water, including stony and fast flowing rivers, small pools, lakes, sheltered sea coasts. Their nest is usually a shallow hollow on the ground, lined with leaves and plant stalks, under overhanging plants. 4 yellowish eggs with dark mottling or spots are laid. The male does most of the incubation. (21-23 days). As soon as they are dry, the hatchlings disperse away from the nest to hide among the surrounding vegetation.

At present, the Common Sandpiper faces no serious threats and are the most widespread and adaptable of shorebirds. Perhaps it is because they can eat a wide range of food.