Sanderling Sanderling

1. Exceptionally pale grey and white in non-breeding plumage; rusty-red tones in breeding plumage

2. Distinctive black shoulder patch at the bend of the wing

3. Lack of a hind toe and bold white wing-stripe visible in flight

Sanderlings breed in the High Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard, and northern Russia. They do not breed in Australia. During the non-breeding season, they travel up to 1, km or more to reach southern hemisphere coasts, including Australiaa round trip of up to 24, km annually for some individuals. On beaches, they feed by probing for small crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates in wet sand.

In Australia, Sanderlings are found mainly on open sandy beaches along the coastline, favouring surf-washed shores. They are most active at low to mid-tide, running after retreating waves to feed. While primarily coastal, they can occasionally be seen on mudflats during migration. Sanderlings are typically found in small groups, often running in unison along the water’s edge.