Quick Answer
No, a sanderling is not the same as a sandpiper. While both are small wading shorebirds, they belong to different genera. Sanderlings are in the genus Calidris, while sandpipers belong to several genera including Actitis, Tringa, and Calidris.
Taxonomy
Sanderlings and sandpipers belong to the family Scolopacidae, which contains many types of sandpipers and allied shorebirds. However, they belong to different genera:
- Sanderlings are in the genus Calidris
- Sandpipers belong to several genera including:
- Actitis
- Tringa
- Calidris
- Numenius
- Limnodromus
- Arenaria
So while sanderlings are a type of sandpiper in the broad sense, when referring to “sandpipers” specifically, this does not include sanderlings.
Appearance
Sanderlings and sandpipers share some similarities in appearance as they are both small shorebirds, but there are some key differences:
Size
- Sanderlings are medium-small sandpipers, about 7-8 inches in length.
- Sandpipers range from small to medium-sized, approximately 5-10 inches in length depending on species.
Color
- Sanderlings in breeding plumage are reddish orange on the head, breast and back with a white belly.
- Sandpipers variable in color depending on species, but often grey, brown, black, or speckled on back and wings with lighter underbelly.
Bill shape
- Sanderlings have a short, stout, black bill.
- Sandpipers generally have longer bills that taper to a point, and range from black to orange in color.
Legs
- Sanderlings have short black legs.
- Sandpipers have yellow, green, grey or black legs depending on species.
| Feature | Sanderling | Sandpiper |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 7-8 inches | 5-10 inches |
| Color | Reddish orange with white belly | Variable, often grey, brown or speckled |
| Bill shape | Short, stout, black | Longer, pointed, various colors |
| Legs | Short, black | Various colors |
Behavior
There are also some differences in behavior between sanderlings and sandpipers:
- Sanderlings often run rapidly along the edge of waves on beaches, darting back and forth to chase receding waves and pick up food.
- Sandpipers may sometimes feed at the surf line, but more commonly probe for food in mudflats, marshes, or flooded fields.
- Sanderlings undertake long migrations from arctic breeding grounds to southern beaches in winter.
- Sandpipers have varied migration patterns – some migratory, others more resident in local wetlands.
- Sanderlings tend to forage in flocks.
- Sandpipers may forage alone or in loose groups.
Habitat and Range
Sanderlings and sandpipers occupy broadly overlapping ranges, but with some habitat differences:
- Sanderlings live along coastal beaches and shores during migration and wintering.
- Sandpipers utilize diverse wetland habitats including beaches, mudflats, marshes, flooded fields, etc.
- Sanderlings breed in high arctic tundra regions.
- Sandpipers breed in varied habitats from arctic to temperate regions.
Both groups span North and South America. However, sanderlings are limited to coastal regions while sandpipers also inhabit interior wetlands. Sandpipers have a more expanded range into Eurasia and Africa.
Examples of sandpipers
There are over 20 species of sandpipers throughout the world. Some examples include:
Common Sandpiper
- Small sandpiper 7-8 inches in length
- Brown upperparts, white underneath
- Breeds in Eurasia, winters in Africa
- Frequents rivers and lakes
Spotted Sandpiper
- Medium sandpiper 7-8 inches long
- Brown speckled back, white belly
- Breeds across North America
- Found along streams, ponds and mudflats
Wood Sandpiper
- Slim sandpiper 8-9 inches in length
- Brown upperparts with white belly
- Breeds in northern Eurasia, winters in Africa and Asia
- Forages along muddy pools and flooded fields
Conclusion
In summary, while sanderlings and sandpipers are both types of small wading shorebirds, they belong to separate genera and have distinct differences in appearance, behavior, habitat preferences, and range. Sanderlings comprise their own genus Calidris, while sandpipers belong to several genera. They have somewhat differing plumage, bill shape, feeding behavior and preferred habitats. While their ranges overlap along coasts, sandpipers utilize a wider array of interior wetlands globally. So in taxonomic terms, sanderlings are considered a specific group distinct from most birds known as “sandpipers.”
