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8

Sanderling

(Calidris alba)
Size: 16-22 cm; wing span 40-45 cm
Weight: 40-100 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Sanderling at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

BREEDING

Near-lateral view of a Sanderling in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Sanderling in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]

NON-BREEDING

Lateral view of Sanderlings in various phases of moulting, from non-breeding (light-grey) to transitional plumage; there is no bird in breeding plumage in this shot (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

Lateral view of two Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, July 2013]

Lateral view of a Sanderling in non-breeding plumage with a completely dust-coated bill (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kilcarnup Beach, WA, December 2016]

Lateral view of a Sanderling in non-breeding plumage in shallow water (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kilcarnup Beach, WA, December 2016]

3 Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage in shallow water (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kilcarnup Beach, WA, December 2016]

Small flock of Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage following a wave (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kilcarnup Beach, WA, December 2016]

Comparison of several Red-necked Stints in non-breeding plumage, left, with a Sanderling in non-breeding plumage, on the right; note the difference in size (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, July 2013]

Lateral view of a Sanderling in non-breeding plumage in comparison with a Ruddy Turnstone, also in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, July 2013]

Lateral view of Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage in comparison with a Greater Sand Plover, also in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

3 Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage in flight - note the characteristic broad white wing bars (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Kilcarnup Beach, WA, December 2016]

More photos were taken by us in Oman.

Behaviour

No information from Australia available yet. To go to the Omani page, click here.

Food, Diet

No information from Australia available yet. To go to the Omani page, click here.

Near-dorsal view of a Sanderling digging something out of the sand (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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