Sanderling — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideSanderling

Small, sprightly shorebird.

Spot this species Read on Wikipedia

⚠️VIC: Vulnerable

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies

SizeSmall

RarityCommon

HabitatFlocks are usually seen on open beaches, well known for running back-and-forth chasing waves and feeding actively in the sand.

Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from December to January.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Mark James Pearson

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

200approx hotspots

10548approx records

7states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

By mid-summer, the frosty feather tips fade away and the neck can be deep, rich red—not to be confused with the much smaller Red-necked Stint! Very pale in winter. Juveniles are nearly spangled with black-and-white above. At all seasons, note larger size and somewhat thicker bill than other peeps or stints, along with bold white wing stripe in flight. Also occurs on mudflats, especially in migration. Extensive global range, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines on every continent except Antarctica.

Behavior

Flocks are usually seen on open beaches, well known for running back-and-forth chasing waves and feeding actively in the sand.

Gallery

Regional timing

Western Australia

Peak: January to February1,492 records

New South Wales

Peak: December to January3,116 records

Victoria

Peak: November to March2,299 records

South Australia

Peak: November to March879 records

Queensland

Peak: November547 records

Tasmania

Peak: January to April258 records

Northern Territory

Peak: September to October1,899 records

Commonly confused with

Red KnotCalidris canutusBeautiful breeding plumage shows entirely salmon-orange underparts and silvery wings with intricate patterning. Nonbreeding is plain gray with pale underparts and a white eyebrow; juvenile similar but with scaly pattern on wings. Usually shows dark barring on flanks. Legs are dull greenish or gray. Widespread and fairly common, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines around the globe, as far south as Tierra del Fuego. Most numerous on beaches and mudflats; less common inland. Compare with larger, lankier, longer-billed Great Knot in Asia and Australia.→Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaIn flight shows plain upperwings, square white rump patch. Legs greenish yellow. Migrants and wintering birds occur in varied wetland habitats, especially with grassy and other vegetation cover. Walks in shallow water, picking with its bill. Bobs tail when nervous, but not habitually like Common Sandpiper.→Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosSlightly curved bill pale at base. Look for dense breast streaking with abrupt border at white belly. Plumage and yellow legs might recall Least Sandpiper, but Pectoral is much larger and looks longer-necked. Compare with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, which is brighter overall and has a more distinct dark cap. Breeds on tundra in the high Arctic. Winters mainly in southern South America, but small numbers also winter in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Much less common on open mudflats or beaches. Listen for low, trilled calls.→