Sanderling

Calidris alba

The Sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small shorebird known for its distinctive behavior of running along the water's edge to forage for small invertebrates. These birds have a mottled brown and white plumage during the breeding season, which transitions to a pale grayish-white plumage in the non-breeding season. Sanderlings breed in the high Arctic and migrate to coastal areas worldwide, often forming large flocks. They are highly adapted to a life on the shore, with their long legs and thin, slightly downturned bills. Sanderlings are known for their agility and speed, as they dart back and forth with the waves to feed on the exposed sand and mudflats.

Habitat: Coastal beaches and mudflats