This week we meet one of the most adorable birds that you will find gracing our beaches: the Sanderling. Cute name, it actually means sand ploughman and we will find out why.
So basic facts about the Sanderling: they’re a type of sandpiper, but one the smallest, coming in at under 20cm. Even so, they are a super star when it comes to long distance migration. During the summer season, they are a circumpolar bird, hanging out high in the artic circle where they form into large flocks to breed and raise their young. But when winter comes they leave and scatter to all corners of the world. Sanderlings can be found on the coastlines of North and South America, Africa, parts of Europe, India, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Basically anywhere with some ocean frontage.
In the warmer climes we are used to seeing the Sanderling in an all white ensemble. But when they go back north to breed, they deck themselves in a brighter spangled browns and oranges.
Maybe the most distinct and humorous thing about the Sanderling is their feeding behaviour. If you go down to the beach, you’ll see them darting about the sand like a maniac. It sometimes looks like they’re playing a game with the waves. Running away as the water rushes in, only to run back as the water retreats. And back and forth they go.
This is part of their feeding strategy. The tiny crustaceans they feed on live just below the surface of the sand. As the water washes over them, they move closer to the surface to feed on bits of algae and other tasty titbits that wash in with the tide. Each successive wave encourages the tiny crabs to the surface. The Sanderling takes advantage of this, coming in just behind the wave as it retreats to grab the crabs before they duck back to deeper safety. Pretty cleaver, and also makes for fun watching. I’ve included a video here, if you’d like to watch so Sanderlings dashing about.
11/02/2024
Photo credit:
1: By JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), https://commons.wikimedia.org/…
2: “Sanderling Swarm” by Thomas James Caldwell
3: “Sanderling (Calidris alba) breeding plumage” by Charles J. Sharp
4: “Sanderling (calidris alba)” by Pets4Dawn
Bird of the Week 