ExploreBirds

Sanderling

Calidris alba

Sanderlings are small, lively birds that love to run along the beach. They have fluffy white feathers and are often seen chasing the waves as they search for tiny food in the sand.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Sanderling is a small, plump shorebird with a short, stout black bill and black legs. In winter, it is strikingly pale grey above and pure white below, appearing almost ghost-like on sandy beaches. It lacks a hind toe, giving it a distinctive track and running style.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusCalidris
Sanderling
feathered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Sanderling

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Sanderlings don't have a back toe, which helps them run super fast on the sand!

These birds gain a lot of weight before migration, sometimes doubling their body mass!

They travel from Arctic nesting sites to beaches as far south as South America!

You can often spot a flock of Sanderlings running together, following the ocean waves.

Special abilities

Ability

Wave Chaser

Sanderling can dart quickly along the water's edge because of its streamlined body and rapid leg movements, helping them catch prey.

Ability

Arctic Marathoner

Sanderling has incredible endurance and navigation skills that help them migrate thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.

Ability

Surf Probe

Sanderling can efficiently probe wet sand with its sensitive bill, helping them find tiny invertebrates hidden beneath the surface.

Measurements & details

Length
18-21 cm
Wingspan
36-39 cm
Weight
0.04-0.1 kg
Lifespan
3-13 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
23-28 days
Migration Distance
12000 km

Diet & Feeding

Sanderlings mostly eat tiny ocean creatures they find buried in the sand or on the surface.

Primary Foods

  • amphipods
  • polychaete worms
  • small crabs
  • marine snails
  • insect larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

sand flea

Haustorius canadensis

Sanderlings hunt this common sand flea along the shoreline.

hunts

polychaete worm

Scoloplos armiger

This worm is a key food source for Sanderlings on many beaches.

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Fast falcons hunt Sanderlings during their long migrations.

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Arctic foxes raid Sanderling nests for eggs and young chicks.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Sanderling?

18-21 cm

What is Sanderling's wingspan?

36-39 cm

How much does Sanderling weigh?

0.04-0.1 kg

How long does Sanderling live?

3-13 years

How fast can Sanderling move?

55 km/h

What does Sanderling eat?

Sanderlings mostly eat tiny ocean creatures they find buried in the sand or on the surface.

Where is Sanderling usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Sanderling hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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