Sanderlings

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A Pretty Little Shorebird

Sanderlings are the most widespread of all the shorebirds. They are often seen on beaches scurrying after waves as they roll back to the sea. They are looking for crustaceans and mollusks exposed by the retreating water.

A Banquet Style Lunch

Description 

The Sanderling is a small sandpiper measuring 7 to 8 inches in length, and weighing less than a pound. It is light in color with a conspicuous white wing stripe, straight black bill and black legs. During breeding season it has a rufous colored head and neck with a wash of the same color extending onto its back. During the non-breeding season the Sanderling is a pale gray with a white chest and belly. The male and female are similar in appearance.

Range and Habitat 

The Sanderling is the most widespread of all the shorebirds. At some point in the year they turn up at nearly every beach in the world. During the breeding season they reside on the tundra, usually near freshwater such as a lake or pond. In the winter they can be found on ocean beaches, mudflats, ponds, rivers and lakeshores.

Sanderlings are comfortable on the ground. They will run along the beaches in what is often referred to as a "bicycling" action, stopping frequently to pick up a snack.

Mating and Nesting 

Sanderlings


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Sanderlings spend the breeding season on the tundra. Their courtship ritual consists of the males doing aerial displays. They fly up into the air, rapidly beatings its wings, and then glides down vocalizing with a song. He will then follow the female with his head down, his tail feather fanned out, and his wings drooping.

The Sanderling's nest is built in a hollow on the ground. The female lines it with grass and lichen before laying 3 to 4 olive colored eggs. The clutch is incubated for 24 to 31 days by both the male and the female. The young usually fledge at 16 to 18 days after hatching.

Sanderlings 

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Outer Banks-Shore Birds

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Shore Birds at Port Mahon 2009...

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Diet 

Sanderlings collect their lunch along the shores. As the waves roll back, tiny crustaceans and are left behind. They eat small crabs, worms, mollusks, and insects.

Sanderlings are a gregarious bird, especially in the winter. They will form large flocks and can be seen on the beaches chasing the waves as they search for crustaceans and other delectable treats.

Voice 

The Sanderling's call is a soft wick, wick, wick, but during the breeding season, the male will make frog-like calls while in flight. When feeding along the shores, the flocks will keep up a continuous chatter.
Listen to the call of the Sanderling:
Sound Byte: Sanderling, All About Birds

Sanderlings are long-distance migrants. They spend the breeding season in the tundra, but are found along the beaches on nearly every continent in the winter.

Quiet Beaches, Beautiful Birds

Selecting a Pair of Binoculars 

Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia 

Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia: A Guide to Field Identification (Princeton Field Guides)

Amazon Price: $25.55 (as of 12/18/2009)Buy Now

Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia is divided into two sections for easy use. The first section shows the shorebirds in standard poses and the second shows them in flight. I prefer this field guide to the others because shorebirds rarely stay still long enough to identify them. With flight illustrations I have a better chance at identifying them.

Have you seen any interesting birds lately? 

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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,009 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments". See all my lenses

 


Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)



Peterson's Field Guide to Birds is an absolute must have for anyone with a birdfeeder and an interest in watching the birds.

Resources used to construct this page. 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.

Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Sanderlings, Nature Works
Sanderlings, Bird Web
Seattle Audubon Society

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