Sanderling

Sanderling Latest News

Recently, a tagged shorebird Sanderling that flew more than 7,400 km from South Australia has been spotted on the remote Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.

About Sanderling

• The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small plump wading bird.
• Its name comes from Old English sand-yrðling and means “sand-ploughman”.
• Appearance: During the winter the sanderling is very pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch. Later in the summer, the face and throat become brick-red. 
• Habitat: Its habitat ranges from moist sites with lots of vegetation to well-drained clay or gravel slopes, to the tops of stony ridges.
  • It can also be found on tidal sand flats, mud flats, and the shores of lakes and rivers. 
• Distribution: It is mainly found in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania.
• Migration: These are complete migrants and travel between 3,000 to 10,000 km from their breeding grounds to their wintering sites.
• Diet: Sanderlings are carnivores (mollusciovres, insectivores). They eat small crabs and other small invertebrates.
• Threats: Loss of wetland habitats, pollution of the environment as well as the pollution from pesticides.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Source: TH

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