Sanderling

Description:

The Sanderling bird is a small, plump songbird that is about 20 cm long. It has a short bill and short legs, and its body is round, with a short neck and head. During breeding season, the Sanderling has a rusty-red back and head and a contrasting white underbelly. In winter, it becomes plain white, with a light-gray back and wings.

What they eat:

Sanderlings mostly feed on invertebrates such as insects, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. The Sanderling uses its long beak to probe the beach sands and mudflats for food.

Habitat:

Sanderlings prefer to stay close to beaches, tidal flats, and sandy shorelines. During breeding season, they can be found in the Arctic tundras, whereas in the winter, they migrate southwards to the temperate latitudes.

Size and wingspan:

Sanderlings are small-sized birds with a body length of 17-20 cm and a wingspan of 38-44 cm.

Male-female difference:

There is no significant difference between male and female Sanderlings. Both genders have the same color and appearance.

Where to find:

Sanderlings are found in many locations around the world, but in Ireland, they can be seen along the coasts, the beaches of sandy shores, and mudflats located in estuaries.

What months can they be found in Ireland:

Sanderlings are usually seen in Ireland from August to May but are more frequently visible in the winter months when they migrate to Ireland from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundras.

Interesting note:

The Sanderling bird is known for its unique foraging behavior. It utilizes a "run-stop-peck" technique to search for its prey along the seashore. This technique involves running a short distance, stopping abruptly, and pecking at the ground to pick up any small creatures that it comes across. This technique is very popular among wading birds and shorebirds like Sanderlings.