Sanderling
Calidris alba
Sanderlings are small, pale shorebirds that race along Florida beaches, following retreating waves to pick tiny prey from wet sand.
Sanderlings visit Florida beaches during migration and winter. Their quick back-and-forth movement at the surf line is one of the easiest ways to recognize them.
They depend on open beaches and undisturbed resting areas. Repeated flushing by people or dogs forces them to spend energy needed for migration.
Habitat:
Beaches and Dunes, Estuaries and Bays
Area / Range:
Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, Florida Keys
Diet:
They eat mole crabs, small crustaceans, marine worms, insects, and other invertebrates exposed by waves.
Behavior:
Sanderlings run rapidly with advancing and retreating surf, probe wet sand, and rest in loose flocks above the high-tide line.
Day, Dawn and Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Fall through spring, especially around low tide on quiet sandy beaches.
Florida Native Status:
Native seasonal visitor
Conservation Status:
Common migrant and winter resident in Florida, but vulnerable to beach disturbance and loss of feeding habitat.
Safety Level:
Low Risk
Safety Information:
Watch from a distance, keep dogs leashed, and walk around resting flocks instead of forcing them to fly.
Benefits to Property:
They consume shoreline invertebrates and add wildlife-viewing value near beachfront properties.
Property Concerns:
They do not damage lawns, buildings, or landscaping. Beach grooming and heavy foot traffic reduce usable habitat.
Fun Fact:
The name refers to the bird's habit of running across sand. Many individuals seen in Florida later travel to Arctic breeding grounds.
Wildlife Laws:
Sanderlings, their nests, eggs, and feathers are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Do not capture, harass, or intentionally disturb them.
Identification:
Look for a compact shorebird with black legs, a straight black bill, and gray-and-white nonbreeding plumage. Breeding birds show rusty color on the head and upperparts. Unlike most sandpipers, they lack a hind toe.
Credits:
Facts: authoritative species reference. Images: primary and secondary, Wikimedia Commons.