Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
The Sanderling is a small, pale shorebird easily recognized by its white underparts and black legs. In Patagonia, it is a common sight along sandy beaches, where flocks scurry back and forth with the surf. Their plumage changes from a mottled brown in the breeding season to a striking white and gray in winter. Sanderlings are long-distance migrants, traveling from Arctic breeding grounds to southern South America. Their lively, wave-chasing foraging style and social flocks make them a favorite among birdwatchers. Despite their abundance, Sanderlings face threats from habitat loss and climate change, which can impact their migratory stopovers and breeding sites.
Habitat
Prefers sandy ocean beaches, tidal flats, and occasionally saline lagoons along the Patagonian coast.
Foraging
Feeds by running along the shoreline, probing wet sand for small invertebrates exposed by receding waves.
