Species Profile
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Sanderling
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Ruddy Plover, Beach Bird
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Appearance
The Sanderling is a small, plump shorebird with a short, straight black bill and black legs. In breeding plumage, it displays a rusty head, neck, and back. During winter, it transforms into a pale grey above and white below, earning its nickname 'beach bird'.
Females are similar to males, although somewhat duller in their rufous breeding plumage. Both sexes have black legs and pure white underparts year-round.
Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have a scaly pattern on their backs. All plumages show a distinctive white wing stripe in flight, contrasting with darker flight feathers.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Sanderlings breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. During migration and winter, they are found on sandy beaches and coastal mudflats across six continents, making them one of the most widespread shorebirds globally.
They are common migrants along the coasts of the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Some individuals overwinter in these regions, particularly in milder coastal areas.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Rutland
East Riding of Yorkshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Northumberland
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
Diet
Sanderlings primarily feed on small invertebrates found in the sand, such as crustaceans, molluscs, crabs, and marine worms. They use their bills to probe the wet sand, often following the receding waves to catch prey exposed by the water.
In their Arctic breeding grounds, they also consume insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and some plant material when food is scarce.
Behaviour
Sanderlings are known for their energetic feeding behaviour, running back and forth along the water's edge in sync with the waves. They often form small flocks, probing the sand with their bills for small invertebrates.
During migration, they gather in large groups, sometimes numbering in the thousands.
Calls & Sounds
Sanderlings are generally quiet birds, but they do vocalise during breeding and in flight. Their most common call is a short, sharp 'plik' or 'wick'.
During courtship, males produce a series of raspy trills that sound like 'krrrr-krrrr-krrrr'. In flight, they may give a soft, rolling 'chup-chup-chup'.
Nesting & Breeding
Sanderlings breed in the high Arctic in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and Siberia during the brief summer, typically June and July. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, often chasing them in flight. They form monogamous pairs for the breeding season.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, typically lined with leaves and lichen. Females lay 3-4 olive-green eggs with brown spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
The incubation period lasts about 24-31 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. They fledge in about 17-21 days, quickly preparing for their long migration south.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Sanderlings face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key stopover sites along their migration routes and preserving Arctic breeding grounds.
Elevation
Sea level to 200 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Sanderlings face predation from various birds of prey, including Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, and Arctic Skuas. On breeding grounds, Arctic Foxes and Snowy Owls are significant threats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Sanderlings on sandy beaches, especially during migration seasons.
- Observe their characteristic 'wave chasing' behaviour at the water's edge.
- Listen for their soft 'plik' or 'wick' calls as they forage.
- In the UK and US, they're common along coastal areas during spring and fall migrations.
Did You Know?
- Sanderlings can run at speeds up to 20 km/h (12 mph) as they chase waves.
- They have one of the longest migration routes of any bird, with some travelling over 10,000 km (6,100 miles) each way.
- Sanderlings can drink seawater thanks to special salt glands that remove excess salt from their bloodstream.
- These birds are unique among sandpipers in that they lack a backward-facing toe, having three forward-facing digits instead.
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