Actitis is a small genus of waders, comprising just two very similar bird species: \n* Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, of Eurasia \n* Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia of North America The genus name Actitis is from Ancient Greek aktites, "coast-dweller" from akte, "coast". Both species have short yellow or yellowish legs and a medium bill. These are not gregarious birds and are seldom seen in large flocks. The Late Pliocene fossil described as Actitis balcanica appears to be actually from some indeterminate charadriid.