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Birds by name

Sanderling

Conservation status: Green

The sanderling is a small, plump, energetic wading bird. It has a short straight black bill and medium length black legs. It is pale grey above and white underneath, and there is a black mark at its shoulder where the folded wing meets the body. It does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor and passage migrant in spring and autumn, journeying to and from their high Arctic breeding grounds.

Overview

Latin name

Calidris alba

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Where to see them

Best looked for where there are long, sandy beaches, around most of the coast other than in the south-west and the rocky coasts of mainland Scotland.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Small marine worms, crustaceans and molluscs

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
--16,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Paul Driver, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Sanderling (winter)

Sanderling - non-breeding plumage
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: black, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

Sanderling (breeding)

Sanderling - breeding plumage
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: medium
  • Beak thickness: medium
  • Leg colour: black/grey
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

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