Sanderling Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Sanderlings are small, plump wading birds similar in size to the Dunlin only stouter and with a thicker bill. In winter, Sanderlings take on a pale plumage and are almost white with the exception of a dark shoulder patch. During summer months their face and throat turn a reddish-brown.
They are long-distance migrants travelling south to overwinter as far as South America, southern Europe, Africa and even as far as Australia. Typically seen in the UK during the winter months when they migrate from their Arctic breeding grounds, Sanderlings can also be seen as they pass through the UK during their spring and autumn migrations.
To find out more about these fascinating waders, keep reading.
Table of Contents
How Long Does A Sanderling Live?
Sanderlings begin breeding at around the age of 2 and have an average life expectancy of around 7 years. Having said that, there have been individuals that have survived to the age of 17 years and 7 months according to ring records.
How Fast Can A Sanderling Fly?
The average flight speed of the Sanderling is around 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h). They have a top speed of around 40 mph (64 km/h) and are capable of flying 2,500 miles without stopping.
Before undertaking their epic migrationary journeys, Sanderlings can double in weight. This extra fat provides the energy needed as well as increasing their muscle mass.
Are Sanderlings Aggressive?
While generally gregarious and mixing with other species along their shoreline habitats, Sanderlings can become aggressive whilst defending their nests and chicks. They can also aggressively chase away other Sanderlings from their feeding territories.
What Is A Sanderling’s Habitat?
The range of a Sanderlings habitat is broad, they breed in remote Arctic tundra and migrate to various coastlines throughout the world. Including Europe, Africa, South America and Australia. There are large numbers of Sanderlings that overwinter in the UK.
Their preferred habitat is along the shoreline of nearly all temperate and tropical beaches worldwide. With many non-breeding birds remaining in their winter grounds to save energy and avoid the long flight up to the Arctic nesting grounds.
How Long Does It Take For A Sanderling To Build A Nest?
It can take anywhere between 3 to 7 days for the female Sanderling to create a scrape nest on the ground. The exact timing depends on a number of factors including the age and experience of the female, the availability of suitable nesting materials and climatic conditions.
She will select the site which will typically be on open ground and scrape away the surface of the ground with her feet and body. The nest is then lined with leaves, lichen and moss.
Eggs
Once the female is satisfied with the nest, she will move onto the next stage in the reproductive cycle, the egg laying phase.
When Do Sanderlings Lay Eggs?
Egg laying typically takes place during late June or early July in their high-Arctic breeding grounds. The actual date of egg laying is dependent on climatic conditions and the availability of sufficient food supplies to feed their young chicks.
How Many Eggs Does A Sanderling Lay?
The female will lay 3 to 4 eggs in a typical clutch whilst the male becomes very territorial and defends his nesting site from all comers.
The female will lay one egg each day and the incubation period doesn’t begin until after the last egg has been laid. Some Sanderlings can have 2 or even 3 broods each season.
What Do Sanderling Eggs Look Like?
Sanderling eggs are a greenish-blue or olive-brown colour and covered in brown spots or freckles. The eggs are around 36 x 25 mm in size, oval in shape and weigh around 11.2 grams.
How Long Do Sanderling Eggs Take To Hatch?
Once all of the eggs have been laid, both parents are involved in the incubation process which lasts for around 23 to 27 days. However, in some cases if incubation has been delayed it can take up to 32 days for the eggs to hatch.
Chicks
Once all of the eggs have hatched, the parents clear all of the egg shells from the nest and start raising the young chicks.
How Many Chicks Does A Sanderling Have?
Sanderling chick numbers should correspond with the number of eggs laid. However, in many cases, not all of the eggs hatch. Some are not fertilised while others can become too cold and the embryo dies in the egg.
Sanderling chicks have around a 55% hatching rate which generally means that of the 4 eggs laid, only 2 will survive to the fledgling stage.
When Do Sanderling Chicks Open Their Eyes?
Like most shorebirds, Sanderlings are precocial which means they have their eyes open as soon as they hatch or shortly afterwards. Around 24 hours after hatching, they are led to their feeding grounds by one or both of the parents.
When Do Sanderling Chicks Fledge?
The young chicks develop quickly and typically fledge around 12 to 14 days after hatching. If the female lays a second clutch, the male will remain with the first brood whilst the female rears the second brood.
SEE ALSO: Bewick’s Swan Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
The average lifespan of the Sanderling is around 7 years. However, there have been individual birds that have survived for more than 17 years according to ring records.
Sanderling eggs are a greenish-blue or olive-brown colour and covered in brown spots or freckles. The eggs are around 36 x 25 mm in size, oval in shape and weigh around 11.2 grams.
The Dunlin is a similar bird to the Sanderling and can easily be mistaken from a distance. However, there are enough differences to make a positive identification possible. Dunlins are smaller, and have a more curved, longer bill than the Sanderling.
