In Australia, Common Sandpipers might better be known as "Uncommon Sandpipers". Unlike many of the other migratory waders that are drawn together in flocks, usually by a common food source, Common Sandpipers are solitary by nature and most observations are of a single bird, usually along the rocky or muddy edge of a stream or on breakwaters etc.

Their characteristic habit of constantly teetering (bobbing the rear end up and down) makes them one of the easiest waders to identify in Australia. When disturbed, they will fly low over the water, flicking the wings and often calling, a repeated "pee - pee - pee". In my experience, they are more common (whatever that is!) in northern Australia but that may be biased by where I've done my wader-watching.