Sanderling
Least ConcernCalidris alba
Visual Identification
Sanderling
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.
Size
Length
18cm to 20cm
Wingspan
35cm to 39cm
Weight
40g to 100g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
White Grey
Secondary Colour
Black Rufous
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 200 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
The Sanderling typically lives for 6 to 7 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 18.6 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
620,000 - 700,000 mature individuals [3]
Global Population Trend
Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating
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.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Ruddy Plover, Beach Bird
Family:
ScolopacidaePredators
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.
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.
Was this bird profile helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content
Community Experience
Community Ratings
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Latest Community Reviews
No reviews yet
Sign in to be the first to review
FAQs
What is a flock of Sanderlings called?
A flock of sanderlings is known as a ‘grain,’ which is an appropriate name for a bird that spends so much time on the sand!
Why are they called Sanderlings?
The word sanderling comes from an Old English word that means sand ploughman.
Similar Birds
References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Calidris alba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22693369A86614145.
View source - 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source