BirdUp · Species
Sanderling
Calidris alba(Pallas, 1764)
Updated
- Order
- CHARADRIIFORMES
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Genus
- Calidris
At a glance
The Sanderling is a medium-sized bird, about 21–22 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 21–22 cm
- Origin
- Native
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Very common
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Sanderling look like?
The Sanderling is a medium-sized bird, about 21–22 cm long and weighing 36–76 g.
The sanderling is a small wading bird. The name derives from Old English sand-yrðling, "sand-ploughman". The genus name is from Ancient Greek: καλίδρις : kalídris or σκαλίδρις : skalídris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The species name, alba, is Latin for "white".
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a Sanderling?
The Sanderling is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Sanderling eat?
The Sanderling feeds on terrestrial invertebrates and intertidal invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
3 photos
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