Why in News?
The Sanderling (Calidris alba), a small migratory shorebird, is recently in the news because of a record-breaking re-sighting of a tagged individual on India's remote Narcondam Island (Andaman and Nicobar) after flying over 7,400 km from South Australia.
Physical Characteristics
- Appearance: During winter, they are the palest sandpipers, appearing nearly white with a dark shoulder patch.
- Summer Change: In breeding season, their face and throat turn a striking brick-red.
- Unique Anatomy: Unlike most sandpipers, they have only three toes on each foot (lacking the hind toe).
- Size: Small and plump, weighing between 40 and 100 grams and measuring about 18–20 cm.
Migratory Behaviour
- Distance: They are "complete migrants," traveling between 3,000 to 10,000 km each way.
- Breeding Grounds: They breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Wintering Sites: During the northern winter, they are found on sandy beaches globally—from South America to Africa and Australia.
Feeding & Habitat
- "Wave Chasers": Known for their iconic behaviour of running madly behind receding waves to catch small invertebrates before the next wave hits.
- Diet: Primarily eat aquatic invertebrates like small crabs, crustaceans, insects, and horseshoe crab eggs.
- Environment: Preferred habitats include tidal sand flats, mudflats, and well-drained gravel slopes.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status: Recently listed as "Least Concern".
- Primary Threats: Habitat loss due to wetland destruction, climate change affecting Arctic breeding, and pesticide pollution.
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