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 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.
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
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Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
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)
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.
Some of My Favorite Waders
Waders Sandhill Cranes
Sanderlings
Great Blue Heron
And More Waders
Black-crowned Night Heron
Cattle Egret
Double-crested Cormorant
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
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Reply
- AndyPo AndyPo Sep 29, 2009 @ 6:02 am
- Excellent lens. Very interesting.
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Reply
- paperfacets paperfacets Jan 28, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
- In Jan. in Socal next to the San Gabriel's we are getting house finches, Junco's, brown towhee, white crowned sparrow. same oh,same oh, but fun.
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 28, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
- These cutie pie birds look just like the adorable sandpipers that I love to watch on Jax beach. Great job.
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Reply
- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Oct 25, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
- Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens links to the appropriate plexos and vote for them.
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Aug 5, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
- Your bird lenses would make a beautiful coffee table book. I enjoyed being able to hear the Sanderling sing. 5*
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.
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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by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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