Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Scolopacidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

sanderling
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Paracas, Ica

sanderling
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

sanderling
Age: Adult, molting | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Arequipa, Peru

sanderling
Age: Adult, basic plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

Identification & Behavior: ~20 cm (7.8 in). The Sanderling in basic plumage is very pale gray with pure white underparts. The alternate plumage is rusty in the head, neck, and breast with a mottled back and white rest of the underparts. Juvenile birds have mottle backs. Molting adults also show a mottle back. The bill is relatively short and straight. The legs are black. It favors sandy beaches and mudflats. It is smaller and much paler than the Red Knot.

Status: The Sanderling is a common Boreal migrant to the coast of Peru during the months of September through April. There are individual and isolated records in other parts of Peru. Some individuals overwinter in South America. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Playero Arenero.

Sub-species: Sanderling (Calidris alba rubida), J. F. Gmelin 1789.

Meaning of Name: Calidris: Gr. kalidris, skalidris= shorebird the color of ash mentioned by Aristotle. alba= L. white.

See more of the Family Scolopacidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
sanderlingVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.