Sanderling:
A tagged shorebird Sanderling that flew more than 7,400 km from South Australia has been spotted on the remote Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
- The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small plump wading bird.
- Its name comes from Old English sand-yrðling and means “sand-ploughman”
- During the winter the sanderling is very pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch. Later in the summer, the face and throat become brick-red.
- Its habitat ranges from moist sites with lots of vegetation to well-drained clay or gravel slopes, to the tops of stony ridges.
- It can also be found on tidal sand flats, mud flats, and the shores of lakes and rivers.
- It is mainly found in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and
- These are complete migrants and travel from their breeding grounds to their wintering sites.
- Sanderlings are carnivores (mollusciovres, insectivores). They eat small crabs and other small invertebrates.
- Threats: Loss of wetland habitats, pollution of the environment as well as the pollution from pesticides.
- Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
