Sanderling

The Sanderling is a medium sized sandpiper, slightly bulkier than the Dunlin. It is very closely linked to maritime environment during the inter-breeding season. In silhouette, it appears more compact and rounder than the Dunlin, an impression accentuated by its short beak, held by a rather large head and relatively short legs.
The adult in breeding plumage has the head, neck, top of the chest and upper parts invaded by a vivid shade of reddish-brown. Some individuals are paler on top, with the red replaced by a light beige shade, but with all individuals, the upper plumage is distinctly marked with black forming an irregular kind of chessboard pattern. The cap, nape and chest are streaked with black-brown. The lower parts, from the chest to the undertail coverts are pure white, creating a clear contrast. The beak is short and straight, shorter than the head length and fairly thick. The iris is dark. The legs are black and, as a unique character among waders, the foot lacks a hind toe, which can be a discriminating criterion when taking photos. Confusion with a breeding Little Stint is possible if the size cannot correctly be estimated. The Little Stint is smaller, with a thinner beak, and it has a hind toe.
The adult in winter plumage is completely different. It is grey and white. The upper parts are grey-ash with fringed feathers tipped white and with some, such as the scapulares, having a dark median streak. The grey cap is finely speckled. The face is white as are the lower parts, mostly excluding the upper part of the chest. When the feather of the chest do not cover it, the small dark coverts form a blackish patch in the wrist area, very visible in flight and diagnostic. To conclude, during this season a very pale bulky sandpiper running with agility on the seaside, which eliminates the possibility of a (similar) grey and white Little Stint, which can be found inland.The young bird of the year in post-nuptial migration is easily recognisable. The upper parts are pale gray-white and heavily marked with black. There is no brown or beige. The head, neck and upper chest are washed with cream russet. A sketch of the pectoral band can be seen. The blackish wrist patch stands out well.
A Sanderling in flight can be identified by its short bill, its well-marked and contrasting white wing bar with the dark wrist, its all-white underparts in all seasons, except for the upper chest and its cry.