The male and female birds of this wader are alike. This largely plain bird has a diagnostic white shoulder notch in front on the wing. The tail projects beyond the folded wings. Another characteristic of this bird is that it moves its rear end up and down. In flight the dark rump of this bird can be seen.

Common sandpipers breed in a large area from western Europe to Japan. The non-breeding grounds are primarily from sub-Saharan Africa, east to Australia. The coastal population in South Africa is estimated to be around 2000 birds.

These non-breeding migrants start arriving in southern Africa from August and most birds have left by March. Very few birds overwinter.

Common sandpipers are found in any aquatic habitat, including estuaries, with a preference for sandy, stony or rocky substrates. Usually found singly. An uncommon bird along the Breede River Estuary. These birds prefer areas next to waterbodies rather than wading into these areas.

Insects are the preferred prey item, but this wader will feed on a variety of invertebrates such as spiders, crustaceans, and molluscs. They will also take small frogs and fish. Their prey is located by sight and mainly picked from the ground between stones and between cracks in rocks.

The oldest known bird is at least 14 years and 6 months old.