# Sanderling (Calidris alba)

- Web page: https://www.funwildfacts.com/norden/bird/sanderling
- Published: 2026-05-30
- Last updated: 2026-05-30

## Overview

The Sanderling is a small, elegant shorebird that is one of the most lively inhabitants of ocean beaches. With its characteristic black bill, dark legs, and pearl-white underside in winter, it is easy to recognize as it rapidly runs after receding waves along sandy shores. During the breeding season in the Arctic, it exchanges its gray winter plumage for beautiful rust-red coloring on the breast and head. The Sanderling belongs to the sandpiper family and is unusual among its relatives in completely lacking a hind toe, meaning it has only three toes on each foot.

This small, swift bird is a master at finding food in the surf zone. It follows waves in and out in a constant dance, quickly pecking for small crustaceans, worms, and other invertebrates exposed as the water recedes. The Sanderling can run at incredible speeds, up to 25 kilometers per hour, which is necessary to collect food before the next wave arrives. Its rapid movements and white underside make it appear almost to glide over the sand.

The Sanderling breeds in the northernmost parts of the world, from arctic Canada and Greenland to northern Siberia. They build their nests directly on the ground in the barren tundra, often near waterways or on sandy surfaces. The female typically lays four eggs which she incubates for about 24 days. Interestingly, both parents incubate the eggs, but the female often abandons the family before the chicks hatch, leaving the male alone to care for the young.

During autumn and spring, Sanderlings pass through the Nordic countries on their long migration between arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas that stretch from Western Europe down to southern Africa, South America, and Australia. This means that some individuals fly over 15,000 kilometers annually. In Sweden and other Nordic countries, they are seen mainly along coasts, where they rest and feed to build up energy reserves for their continued journey. Their global migration patterns make them some of the world's most well-traveled birds.

## Quick facts

- Weight: 40–65 g
- Length: 18–21 cm
- Wingspan: 36–43 cm
- Top Speed: 80 km/h
- Lifespan: 5–12 yrs
- Diet: Omnivore
- Conservation Status: Least Concern

## Habitat

The Sanderling is strongly tied to sandy ocean beaches and coastal environments where it thrives in the surf zone. It prefers open, exposed beaches with fine sand surfaces where waves roll in regularly and expose small crustaceans and other invertebrates that constitute its main food. During the breeding season it is found in arctic tundra, where it selects dry, often gravelly or sandy surfaces near water to build its nests.

During migration and winter, Sanderlings are seen along coasts worldwide, from temperate to tropical areas. They can also sometimes be seen at large lakes and waterways, but are always most numerous by the sea. In the Nordic region they are seen mainly as migratory birds along the west coast of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and at Iceland's coasts, where they rest on sandy beaches and in estuaries during their long journeys between north and south.

- Coast
- Wetland
- Ocean
- Tundra
- arctic

## Seasonal Behavior

The Sanderling is a long-distance migrant that passes through the Nordic region mainly during May-June in spring and July-October in autumn. During these periods, small to large flocks can be seen along sandy beaches, where they rest and feed intensively to build up fat reserves. Summer is spent in high arctic areas where they breed, while winter is spent on beaches in southern Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, and Australia. In the Nordic region, occasional pairs breed in Iceland and possibly in northern Norway, but most individuals we see are passing through. During winter the species is very rare in the Nordic region, as almost all individuals have migrated south to warmer latitudes.

## Breeding

- Incubation: 24 days
- Offspring: 3–4 

## Behavior & Ecology

- Activity Pattern: Diurnal
- Social Behavior: Sanderlings are often social and seen in flocks, especially during migration and in wintering areas where hundreds of birds can gather on favorable beaches.
- Migration: Migratory
- Population: The global population is estimated at approximately 700,000 individuals

## Did you know?

- The Sanderling completely lacks a hind toe, making it unique among sandpipers and perfectly adapted for running on sandy beaches.
- A Sanderling can run up to 25 kilometers per hour when chasing food in the surf zone!
- Some Sanderlings fly over 15,000 kilometers each year between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas in the southern hemisphere.
- These small birds weigh only 40-65 grams, about as much as two golf balls.
- A Sanderling can pick up food 20 times in 10 seconds as it follows receding waves.
- The female often abandons her chicks before they hatch, leaving the male to care for the family alone.
- During the Arctic breeding season, the Sanderling's plumage becomes beautifully rust-red, but in winter it is almost completely white underneath.
- Sanderlings can be seen on beaches on every continent except Antarctica, making them one of the world's most widespread shorebirds.

## Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Animalia
- Class: Aves
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Scolopacidae
- Species: Calidris alba

## Image

- URL: https://images.djurfakta.com/animals/sandlopare/1777493249477-1.jpg
- Photo: Ianaré Sévi
- License: CC BY-SA 3.0

## Other languages

- sv: https://www.djurfakta.com/norden/bird/sandlopare
- da: https://www.dyrefakta.com/da/norden/bird/sandlober
- no: https://www.dyrefakta.com/norden/bird/sandloper