| Sanderling Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Small shorebird - Medium-length, thin, dark bill - Dark legs - Wide, white wing stripe - Black line on rump extends onto tail - Sexes similar Adult alternate - Reddish head, back and breast with black spots - Gray wings - White belly Adult basic - Pale gray head and upperparts - Faint, partial gray breast band - White underparts - Indistinct white supercilium and dark eyeline Juvenile - Checkered upperparts - Black patch in front of folded wing - Faint, partial gray breast band - White underparts - Face pattern bolder than adult basic Similar species In alternate plumage, Red Knot and rare Curlew Sandpiper also have a reddish face and breast but are obviously larger and have more extensive red breasts. In basic plumage, the Sanderling is very similar to smaller "peeps" but has a more obvious wing stripe. |
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