Bird guideSanderling

Small, sprightly shorebird.

⚠️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
0:000:00
Recorded by Mark James Pearson

Range map

Range map

742visible hotspots
10500visible records
6states
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.

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