Sanderling Bird is A Beautiful Sandpiper of Coastal Shores
Sanderling bird (Calidris alba) is a shorebird that moves quickly near shoreline. The bird has short black bill and plump body with a short neck. At breeding time the bird appears with rusty red, with white and black feathers and transforms into almost all white with gray on their back in winter.
Discover important information regarding its habitat, migration, diet, and unique wave-chasing behavior.
Sanderling Bird
Calidris alba
Sanderlings is a small, plump bird having short stout bodies, long black legs and black bill. Non breeding plumbs color in summer and winter are different.
This bird measures 18-20 centimeters in length and weighs 56 grams (2 ounces) and has 33-36 centimeter wingspans.
With no hind toe the birds can perform quick movements on sandy seashores like other shorebird species. The swift rhythmic movements of chasing waves distinguish them from other birds that display this behavior.
You can explore native, migratory and introduced birds in our collection of Kauai birds and find a detailed guide at birds of Kauai.
Distribution, Habitat, and Migration
These birds are found across entire world since they inhabit every region except Antarctica. They breed in the Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia, then migrate thousands of miles to warmer coastal areas for winter.
This migratory bird species travels many distances by flying 6,000 miles (9,600 km) to get to its wintering places.
The bird spends summer months between August and April in Hawaiian beaches where they prefer to feed in areas composed of sandy beaches and mudflats and rocks.
These birds regularly appear throughout Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island because they perfectly match the beach environment while continuously searching for food in the sand.
Identification
The identification becomes easier due to their distinctive movement patterns and changing seasonal plumage. Breeding season colors reveal a reddish-brown head and back pattern which stands out on their body along with dark spots.
During non-breeding seasons, these birds turn completely pale gray and white so they blend with the sandy beaches.
One of their most distinctive behaviors is their wave-chasing pattern. They call out ‘wick wick’ to communicate while foraging in small flocks.
Unlike plovers that use stationary positions to view their surroundings, this bird chooses to run ahead and back with the tide movements.
Feeding Behavior
The foraging behavior of Sanderlings consists of searching for opportunities to eat small crustaceans and marine worms along with insects.
This bird uses their small pointed bill to investigate wet sand where they extract small underwater animals from their habitat. Small fish and mollusks become part of their migration diet which helps them build necessary body fat stores for their lengthy migration.
Their feeding technique is relentless. The birds quickly move forward to catch prey exposed by receding waves, then retreat to avoid the incoming tide.
Their continuous movement enables them to explore large eating areas which prevents them from experiencing food shortages.
Breeding Behavior
Arctic tundra serves as the preferred nesting ground for Sanderlings since they prefer to nest in bare areas with minimal plant life.
Adult males create multiple shallow depressions in the ground until a female selects one, adding moss and lichen for lining. Both parents take care of a clutch of three to four eggs during their 24 to 31 days of incubation.
The hatched chicks immediately depart from their nest because they exhibit precocial behavior. The young individuals start hunting independently right after hatching but keep under adult supervision for several weeks.
During summer, they are fully developed to begin their first annual migration southwards.
Breeding Adult
The breeding season brings out sharp reddish-brown and black marks with white feathers across adult Sanderlings. Their poly-chromatic feathers help the birds hide among Arctic tundra areas , keeping them safe from predators.
They show speckled feathers around their face and throat together with dark colors across their backs. These birds maintain intense territorial behavior when they build nests.
Male birds defend their selected nesting area through intense aerial displays and fights which protect the area from intruders. They shed their summer plumage right after breeding season ends before migrating.
Non-breeding Adult
Weather changes in winter force Sanderlings to turn gray-silver on their backs while their bellies transform to pure white. On sandy beaches the seasonal change helps Sanderlings conceal themselves effectively.
The birds can be easily recognized since their black body parts stand out against their white appearance and other shorebirds. During the winter season Sanderlings display more social behavior because they form flocks that contain between 10 to 100 individuals.
Most of their daily activities consist of feeding followed by resting as they build their strength before a new migration begins. The wave-chasing behavior of these shorebirds shows no seasonal variations during the entire year period.
Hot Spots in Hawaii
Hungry birdwatchers will find many ideal places in Hawaii to see them. The prime viewing locations for Sanderlings in Hawaii include:
- Hanalei Bay (Kauai),
- Waikiki Beach (Oahu),
- Kanaha Beach Park (Maui) and
- Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach (Big Island).
The beaches which these birds choose to feed have both soft sand layers as well as the right tidal patterns they need to survive.
People can observe Sanderlings alongside numerous shorebirds at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Maui when the birds migrate during peak times.
Birdwatchers can easily observe them together with Ruddy Turnstones and Pacific Golden-Plovers by visiting certain locations.