Calidris alba

Sanderlings are beachcombers, running frantically back and forth along the waterline in search of food. They eat all sorts of small animals that appear when the water retracts, whether washed ashore, such as small crustaceans, or living in the sandy bottom, such as the Nerine cirratulus. Sanderlings can fly tremendous distances without stopping to rest. They need a sandy beach to find food but they don't find beaches everywhere along their migration route. Therefore, they sometimes need to fly non-stop for 5000 kilometers.

While many North Americans know this small (7-8 inches) sandpiper as a plain, gray bird of the winter shoreline, the Sanderling has a summer plumage that is much more striking. During the breeding season, the Sanderling is rusty-red speckled with brown above with a bold white eye-stripe, black bill, black legs, and black wing edges. In winter, this species sheds its summer colors and becomes gray above with a white breast and throat. Male and female Sanderlings are similar in summer and winter plumages. The Sanderling breeds across the high arctic and winters on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, this species breeds primarily on islands in far northern Canada. Sanderlings that breed in Canada migrate south in winter, when they may be found along the coasts of the Americas from central Canada to southern South America. In the Old World, this species breeds in northern Siberia, wintering as far south as the Mediterranean Sea, West Africa, South Asia, Australasia, and Oceania. In summer, Sanderlings breed on relatively dry, open tundra. During the winter, this species primarily inhabits shorelines of sandy beaches. The diet of the Sanderling is comprised mostly of small aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks, although insects may also be eaten when available. Due to its remote breeding habitat, most birdwatchers never see Sanderlings during the summer. In winter, this species may be observed in groups probing the sand for food with their bills and running to avoid incoming waves. This species is primarily active during the day.

Threat Status: Least concern

Sanderlings have one of the widest winter ranges of any shorebird. They are found along the coastlines of all oceans and seas from about 50 degrees north latitude to about 50 degrees south latitude in winter, including both temperate and tropical coastal areas. Their winter range in the Americas includes the Pacific coast from British Columbia to northern Chile, Atlantic coast from southern Maine to Brazil, and coastlines of the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and Antillean Islands. In the breeding season they are found in high arctic areas of Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, and Canada.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Native ); australian (Native ); oceanic islands (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic

Breeds Holarctic; worldwide coastal post-breeding dispersal.

Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, Djibouti, Eritrea, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, IJzer Estuary, Irish Exclusive economic Zone, Kenya, Mozambique, New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, North West Atlantic, Polish Exclusive Economic Zone, Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, Red Sea, Somalia, South Africa (country), Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone, Tanzania, United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone, Wimereux

North America; southern Nova Scotia to the Gulf States

Sanderlings have one of the widest winter ranges of any shorebird. They are found along the coastlines of all oceans and seas from about 50 degrees north to about 50 degrees south in winter, including both temperate and tropical coastal areas. Their winter range in the Americas includes Pacific coastal areas as far north as British Columbia to northern Chile in the south, and Atlantic coastal areas as far north as southern Maine and southwards to Brazil. They are found throughout the coastlines of the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and Antillean Islands as well. Winter range outside of the Americas is from the British Isles to the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea and throughout southeast Asia to South Africa, Australia, and many South Pacific islands. In the breeding season they are found in high arctic areas of Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, and Canada.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Native ); australian (Native ); oceanic islands (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Breeding

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) BREEDS: circumpolar; in North America, northern Alaska, and from Prince Patrick, Lougheed, and northern Ellesmere islands south to northern Mackenzie, western Victoria Island, northern Keewatin, northwestern coast of Hudson Bay, and Southampton and northern Baffin islands; northern Palearctic. Some spend breeding season in nonbreeding range. NORTHERN WINTER: southern Alaska, Massachusetts, and Gulf Coast south through Middle America, West Indies, and South America to southern Argentina (by far the largest number on the west coast of South America in Peru and Chile, Morrison and Ross 1989); also Pacific islands, Old World. Delaware Bay is the most important spring stopover in the eastern U.S. (Clark et al. 1993).

Above Arctic circle to Pacific and Atlantic coasts of United States.

Sanderlings are small sandpipers with black legs and feet and a stout, short, black beak. They are from 18 to 20 cm in length and 40 to 100 g. In their non-breeding plumage these sandpipers have a very pale, whitish head, with pale gray upperparts and white underparts. They have a dark shoulder patch that extends onto the throat and breast. In flight they have a white wing stripe that is bordered by black. In their breeding plumage the upperparts take on a reddish brown color and the head becomes more deeply colored. Females and males are similar.

Range mass: 40 to 100 g.

Range length: 18 to 20 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Sanderlings are small sandpipers with black legs and feet and a stout, short, black beak. They are from 18 to 20 cm in length and 40 to 100 g. In their non-breeding plumage these sandpipers have a very pale, whitish head, with pale gray upperparts and white underparts. In all plumages they have a dark shoulder patch that extends onto the throat and breast. In flight they have a white wing stripe that is bordered by black. In their breeding plumage the upperparts take on a reddish brown color and the head becomes more deeply colored. Juveniles are similar to adults, but have darker plumage on the upperparts. Females and males are similar, although males tend to be slightly more colorful. They are easily confused with other, similarly-sized sandpipers, but their black bill, pale head, and their sandy, coastal habits help to differentiate them. Birds in breeding plumage may be confused with red-necked stints (Calidris ruficollis), except that these birds lack any dark markings that extend on the neck and chest. Sanderlings also lack a hind toe, helping to distinguish them from other sandpipers, but this is difficult to discern in the field.

Despite their exceptionally large geographic range, there are no described subspecies or regional variants. Some variation in plumage brightness and size has been described.

Range mass: 40 to 100 g.

Range length: 18 to 20 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Length: 20 cm

Weight: 60 grams

Length: 20 cm, Wingspan: 42.5 cm

Length: 19-21 cm. Plumage: pale grey above, white below; grey patch on either side of breast; black shoulder; white bar in spread wing; rump white with grey centre stripe and greyish tail; shows partial breeding plumage of rufous above mottles darker. Bare parts: iris brown; bill black, stout; feet and legs black, no hind toe. Habitat: sandy coastal beaches, coral flats and, less often, mudflats and weedy rocky shores. Palearctic migrant. <389><391><393>

Sanderlings are found in distinct habitats in the breeding and winter seasons. In winter they are mainly found along sandy coastlines, where they probe for food ahead of and behind waves in the active surf zone. They may also forage in mudflats, lagoons, and rocky intertidal areas. In the breeding season, sanderlings are found in the high arctic tundra.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial ; saltwater or marine

Terrestrial Biomes: tundra ; desert or dune

Aquatic Biomes: coastal

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater
• Marine

Sanderlings are found in distinct habitats in the breeding and winter seasons. In winter they are mainly found along sandy beaches, where they probe for food ahead of and behind waves in the active surf zone. They may also forage in mudflats, lagoons, and rocky intertidal areas. They are most common along ocean coasts, but are also found on sandy beaches of inland lakes, prairie potholes, and saline or alkaline flats. In the breeding season, sanderlings are found in the high arctic tundra, where they nest in a variety of habitats, but mainly rocky ridges or slopes near moist tundra or ponds.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial ; saltwater or marine

Terrestrial Biomes: tundra ; desert or dune

Aquatic Biomes: coastal

Depth range based on 28 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 6 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 0
  Temperature range (°C): 5.687 - 14.694
  Nitrate (umol/L): 1.004 - 4.986
  Salinity (PPS): 32.907 - 35.363
  Oxygen (ml/l): 5.913 - 7.392
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.262 - 0.445
  Silicate (umol/l): 1.330 - 3.108

Graphical representation

Temperature range (°C): 5.687 - 14.694

Nitrate (umol/L): 1.004 - 4.986

Salinity (PPS): 32.907 - 35.363

Oxygen (ml/l): 5.913 - 7.392

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.262 - 0.445

Silicate (umol/l): 1.330 - 3.108
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Comments: Nonbreeding: primarily sandy beaches, less frequently on mud flats and shores of lakes or rivers (AOU 1983) also on exposed reefs (Pratt et al. 1987). Sleeps/loafs on upper beach or on salt pond dike. Nests on dry tundra, in stony locations or areas with low vegetation, within a few hundred meters of wet tundra. Nests on the ground in a shallow depression lined with mosses, leaves, or other plant material.

Beaches, tidal flats and lake shores.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Those migrating north to the Arctic from Chile and Peru travel mainly through the central corridor (Texas and northward) of the U.S. and Canada; smaller numbers follow the Pacific coast; a few migrate along U.S. Atlantic coast. Southbound from the Arctic to coastal Chile and Peru, many switch eastward to stopovers on U.S. Atlantic coast, including birds that migrated north along U.S. Pacific coast. Those in Brazil during nonbreeding season apparently appear only on U.S. Atlantic coast in migration. No single migratory route connects breeding with nonbreeding regions. (Myers et al. 1990).

Some migrate annually from central Chile to northeastern Greenland, about 12,800 km (Terres 1980), whereas others migrate only 3000 km between arctic and coastal northeastern U.S.; individuals exhibit strong fidelity to specific wintering areas. Typically large flocks fly long distances between favored stop-overs.

Begins migrating northward in March, main flight through U.S. in May, arrives in nesting areas late May-early June. Adults depart breeding areas mid-July to mid-August, juveniles late August-early September (Hayman et al. 1986). Migrates through Costa Rica mid-August through October and mid-March to early May (Stiles and Skutch 1989).

Long flights separate stop-over points.

Sanderlings eat aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates that are found in their preferred habitats. In the breeding season, along pond or stream edges in the arctic tundra, insects are the primary prey, especially Tipulidae, Chironomidae, and Culiculidae. During winter and migration, when most sanderlings are found along coastlines, they eat mainly small Crustacea, Bivalvia, Polychaeta, Insecta, and Amphipoda. They will occasionally take plant parts when animal prey is not available. Sanderlings feed by probing with their bills or picking things off the ground. They run just ahead of and behind waves on beaches, probing the soft sand for prey as they go.

Animal Foods: eggs; insects; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans

Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; bryophytes; algae

Sanderlings eat aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates that are found in their preferred, sandy or tundra open habitats. In the breeding season, along pond or stream edges in tundra, insects are the primary prey, including especially craneflies, midges, and mosquitoes. During winter and migration, when most sanderlings are found along coastlines, they eat mainly small crustaceans, bivalves, polychaete worms, insects, and talitrid amphipods. Examples of important winter and migratory prey are sand crabs, isopods, and horseshoe crab eggs along the Atlantic coast. They will occasionally take plant seeds, buds, roots, and shoots when animal prey is not available. Sanderlings feed by probing with their bills or picking things off the ground. They run just ahead of and behind waves on beaches, probing the soft sand for prey as they go.

Animal Foods: eggs; insects; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans

Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; bryophytes; algae

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Eats non-insect arthropods, Molluscivore )

Comments: During the nesting season feeds on adult insects and their larvae. On coastal beaches feeds on tiny crustaceans, small mollusks, and marine worms. Horseshoe crab eggs are an important source of food for north-bound migrants at Delaware Bay (Botton et al. 1994). Forages at edge of water probing wet sand with bill.

Mostly sand crabs. Also includes amphipods, isopods, insects, marine worms, small mollusks, horseshoe crab eggs, some plant matter, and some carrion and human scraps.

Sanderlings are important predators of marine crustaceans on beaches. They are found in flocks with a wide variety of other shorebirds in winter and migration, including Calidris alpina, Calidris canutus, Pluvialis squatarola, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, Limnodromus, Arenaria interpres, Calidris pusilla, and Calidris mauri. There is competition among these birds for food items, and larger shorebirds, such as Larus, will steal prey from sanderlings.

Sanderlings are parasitized by several Nematoda species that they get by eating aquatic crustaceans.

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• Franklin's gulls (Larus_pipixcan)
• gray gulls (Larus_modestus)
• nematodes (Skrjabinoclava_myersii)
• nematodes (Skrjabinoclava_tupacinci)

When threatened by predators, sanderlings that are on a nest may crouch on the nest, flattened out, or run a short distance and then crouch on the ground, as if protecting a nest. They may also pretend to be injured or mob predators in groups. When young are hatched, parents use a sharp call to tell the young there is danger nearby, which causes them to freeze. Their brown colors help them to blend in to their surroundings. In their arctic breeding areas, most predation is on eggs and young. Parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius_parasiticus) and long-tailed jaegers (Stercorarius_longicaudus) have been seen eating eggs and young and glaucous gulls (Larus_hyperboreus), snowy owls (Nyctea_scandiaca), wolves (Canis_lupus), and arctic foxes (Vulpes_lagopus) may also take eggs and young. In winter and migration, adults have been preyed on by merlins (Falco_columbarius), peregrine falcons (Falco_peregrinus), cinereous harriers (Circus_cinerea), burowing owls (Athene_cunicularia), short-eared owls (Asio_flammeus), Sechuran foxes (Lycalopex_sechurae), house rats (Rattus_rattus), laughing gulls (Larus_atricilla), and domestic cats (Felis_catus).

Known Predators:

• parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius_parasiticus)
• long-tailed jaegers (Stercorarius_longicaudus)
• glaucous gulls (Larus_hyperboreus)
• snowy owls (Nyctea_scandiaca)
• wolves (Canis_lupus)
• arctic foxes (Vulpes_lagopus)
• merlins (Falco_columbarius)
• peregrine falcons (Falco_peregrinus)
• cinereous harriers (Circus_cinerea)
• burowing owls (Athene_cunicularia)
• short-eared owls (Asio_flammeus)
• Sechuran foxes (Lycalopex_sechurae)
• laughing gulls (Larus_atricilla)
• house rats (Rattus_rattus)
• domestic cats (Felis_catus)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Sanderlings are important predators of marine crustaceans in the intertidal zone. They are found in association with a wide variety of other shorebirds in foraging flocks in winter and migration, including dunlins (Calidris alpina), red knots (Calidris canutus), black-bellied plovers (Pluvialis squatarola), willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), dowitchers (Limnodromus), ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres), semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla), western sandpipers (Calidris mauri), two-banded plovers (Charadrius falklandicus), and white-rumped sandpipers. There is competition among these birds for food items, and larger shorebirds, such as Franklin's gulls (Larus pipixcan) and gray gulls (Larus modestus), will steal prey from sanderlings.

Sanderlings are parasitized by several nematode species that they get by eating aquatic crustaceans.

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• Franklin's gulls (Larus pipixcan)
• gray gulls (Larus modestus)
• nematodes (Skrjabinoclava myersii)
• nematodes (Skrjabinoclava tupacinci)

When threatened by predators, sanderlings that are on a nest may crouch on the nest, flattened out, or run a short distance and then crouch on the ground, as if protecting a nest. They may also pretend to be injured or mob jaegers in groups. When young are hatched, parents alert young of danger with a sharp call, which causes them to freeze. The cryptic coloration of sanderlings helps to protect them against predation. In their arctic breeding areas, most predation is on eggs and young. Parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus) and long-tailed jaegers (Stercorarius longicaudus) have been seen eating eggs and young and glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca), wolves (Canis lupus), and arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) may also take eggs and young. In winter and migration, adults have been preyed on by merlins (Falco columbarius), peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), cinereous harriers (Circus cinerea), burowing owls (Athene cunicularia), short-eared owls (Asio flammeus), Sechuran foxes (Lycalopex sechurae), house rats (Rattus rattus), laughing gulls (Larus atricilla), and domestic cats (Felis catus).

Known Predators:

• parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus)
• long-tailed jaegers (Stercorarius longicaudus)
• glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus)
• snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca)
• wolves (Canis lupus)
• arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)
• merlins (Falco columbarius)
• peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus)
• cinereous harriers (Circus cinerea)
• burowing owls (Athene cunicularia)
• short-eared owls (Asio flammeus)
• Sechuran foxes (Lycalopex sechurae)
• laughing gulls (Larus atricilla)
• house rats (Rattus rattus)
• domestic cats (Felis catus)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Calidris alba (Sanderling) preys on:
Polychaeta
Isopoda

Based on studies in:
South Africa (Desert or dune)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

100,000 - 1,000,000 individuals

Comments: The global population has been estimated at 643,000, with about 300,000 in North America (Morrison et al. 2001).

Seen singly, or in small (usually) or large flocks. May defend nonbreeding feeding territory, chasing away other birds.

Sanderlings use visual displays and calls during courtship and breeding. When they are not breeding, they are relatively quiet. Chicks give a chirp when startled that will cause their nestmates to run away, this chirp is similar to the sound used by adults to alert others of a predator ("chidik"). Adults also use a call to tell their hatchlings that the danger has passed.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Sanderlings use visual displays and calls during courtship and breeding. Outside of the breeding season they are relatively quiet. It is not thought that they learn calls. Chicks give a chirp when startled that will cause their nestmates to run away, this chirp is similar to the sound used by adults to alert others of a predator ("chidik"). Adults also use a call to tell their hatchlings that the danger has passed. Various other calls are used when departing from the nest, in aggressive interactions, and during displays and copulation.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Comments: In winter, forages all day, with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon; forages at night as well (Burger and Gochfeld 1991).

The longest recorded lifespan in a sanderling was 13 years. Most natural deaths are from predation and exposure to the cold. Sanderling populations are also impacted by human habitat degradation, especially in their beach habitats.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13 (high) years.

The longest recorded lifespan in a sanderling was 13 years. Adult survival is estimated at 83% yearly. Most natural mortality can be attributed to predation and cold stress on young. Sanderling populations are also impacted by human habitat degradation, especially in their beach habitats.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13 (high) years.

Maximum longevity: 18.5 years (wild)

Mating systems in sanderlings are flexible. Males and females can form mated pairs, or males or females can have multiple mates. Mating systems vary regionally and from year to year, depending on conditions. Mating bonds are formed soon after sanderlings arrive on the breeding grounds, in Late May to mid June. These birds perform elaborate visual displays accompanied by songs. The display flight is described as a flight with the body parallel to the ground and the head held down. Birds move their heads from side to side as they fly and rapidly flutter their wings, followed by a brief glide. Once a pair bond is formed, the male uses a jerky walk and calls to the female, who calls back. Males and females are inseparable at this time. In some populations one or the other mate will abandon its partner soon after incubation starts.

Mating System: monogamous ; polyandrous ; polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Females choose an area for a nest, which is just a shallow depression on the ground lined with a few leaves. They lay 4 greenish, spotted eggs in late June or early July and incubate them for 23 to 32 days. One day after hatching a parent will lead the young away from he nest. Young can fly at 12 to 14 days old and become independent at 17 to 21 days old. Females lay 1 to 2 clutches, depending on how much prey is available. If a female lays 2 clutches, her male mate remains with the first set of young and the female rears the second set. Sanderlings breed in the second year after they hatch.

Breeding interval: Sanderlings lay 1 to 2 clutches each breeding season.

Breeding season: Sanderlings breed from late May through July or early August each year.

Average eggs per season: 4.

Range time to hatching: 23 to 32 days.

Range fledging age: 12 to 14 days.

Range time to independence: 17 to 21 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)

Both parents incubate and protect the young. When females lay a second, or even third, clutch, they will abandon their male mate with the first clutches and then care for the final clutch on their own. Young have downy feathers and can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching. They are kept warm and protected by the parents until a few days after they can fly, usually from 17 to 21 days after hatching.

Parental Investment: precocial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Male, Female)

Mating systems in sanderlings are exceptionally flexible. They vary from monogamy to serial polyandry and polygyny, and can vary regionally and from year to year, depending on conditions. Flexibility in mating systems may be a way of responding to the unpredictability of resources in breeding habitats. However, some studies suggest regional differences in mating strategies may be fixed. Pair bonds are typically formed soon after sanderlings have arrived on the breeding grounds, generally in late May and early June. Males, and sometimes females, perform elaborate displays accompanied by vocalizations. Sometimes multiple birds display together. The display flight is described as a flight at 2 to 10 meters high with the body parallel to the ground and the head held down. Birds move their heads from side to side as they fly and rapidly flutter their wings, followed by a brief glide. The result resembles a fluttering hover and can last up to 2 minutes. This display flight is accompanied by a song. Once a pair bond is formed, the male uses a jerky walk and calls to the female, who calls back. Males and females are inseparable at this time. In some populations one or the other mate will abandon its partner soon after incubation starts.

Mating System: monogamous ; polyandrous ; polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Females choose a nest site in the breeding area and construct a scrape on the ground in an open area and may line it with leaves and lichens. Egg-laying occurs in late June or early July. Females lay 4 greenish, brown spotted eggs, usually at intervals of about 1 per day. They begin to incubate when all eggs are laid. Incubation usually lasts 23 to 27 days but, if incubation is delayed, it may take up to 32 days. Once the eggs hatch, the parents carry the eggshells away from the nest and begin to brood the young. One day after hatching a parent will lead the young away from he nest. Fledging occurs at 12 to 14 days old and the young are independent at 17 to 21 days old. Females lay 1 to 2, rarely 3 clutches, depending on the region and local conditions. If a female lays 2 clutches, her male mate remains with the first brood and the female rears the second brood. Sanderlings breed in the second year after they hatch. Yearlings don't typically arrive on breeding grounds early enough to start breeding.

Breeding interval: Sanderlings lay 1 to 2 clutches each breeding season.

Breeding season: Sanderlings breed from late May through July or early August each year.

Average eggs per season: 4.

Range time to hatching: 23 to 32 days.

Range fledging age: 12 to 14 days.

Range time to independence: 17 to 21 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)

Both parents incubate, brood, and protect the young. In areas or years when females can lay a second, or even third, clutch, they will abandon their male mate with the first clutches and then care for the final clutch on their own. Young are precocial at hatching and can walk and feed themselves. They are brooded and protected by the parents until a few days after they fledge, usually from 17 to 21 days after hatching.

Parental Investment: precocial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Male, Female)

Breeding begins mid-June to July (may be delayed by snow). Female usually lays 4 eggs; incubation lasts about 24-31 days. Male sometimes incubates first clutch while female lays a second. Nestlings are precocial and downy. Young can fly 17 days after hatching.

Nest is built on the ground. 4 eggs normally incubated by both sexes, although sometimes female may mate more than once with different males. Incubation period is 24-31 days. Young can feed themselves. First flight is at 17 days old.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 10
Specimens with Barcodes: 16
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 9 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Sanderlings have a large range and large population sizes, so they are not considered threatened currently. They are protected as a migratory bird by the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. Their breeding habitats in the arctic tundra are threatened by global climate changes, resulting in increased temperatures in the arctic. Their migratory and wintering habitats are threatened by oil spills, beach and wetland development, and other kinds of habitat disturbance.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern

Sanderlings have a large range and large population sizes, so they are not considered threatened currently. They are protected as a migratory bird by the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. Their breeding habitats in the arctic tundra are threatened by global climate changes, resulting in increased temperatures in the arctic. Their migratory and wintering habitats are threatened by oil spills, beach and wetland development, and other kinds of habitat degradation and contamination. Sanderling populations rely on the timing of seasonally abundant prey at migratory stopovers, such as the breeding of horseshoe crabs on the Atlantic coast of North America. Sanderlings feed on horseshoe crab eggs at a critical point in their migration and the loss of this resource may impact survival during migration and breeding success. Sanderlings will leave areas with heavy human or vehicle use of beaches, further reducing their available habitat.

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Regular passage visitor and winter visitor.

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5B - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4B,N5N : N4B: Apparently Secure - Breeding, N5N: Secure - Nonbreeding

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Habitat destruction in stop-over points of migration could be causing serious population declines. There is, however, no official conservation status for this species.

Major Threats

There are no adverse effects of sanderlings on humans.

Sanderlings are interesting members of arctic, temperate, and tropical coastal habitats. Historically they were considered a game species and were hunted for market. Arctic natives collected eggs to eat.

Positive Impacts: food

There are no adverse effects of sanderlings on humans.

Sanderlings are interesting members of arctic, temperate, and tropical coastal habitats. Historically they were considered a game species and were hunted for market. Arctic natives collected eggs to eat.

Positive Impacts: food