Calidris alba - sanderling

	DISSEMINATION

Geographic Range	it nests in the Arctic area of Canada, in Greenland and in Siberia. The only nesting area in Europe are Svalbard Islands.
Physical Characteristics	it is a small limicolous bird, winter plumage is white, with black spots on the upper part of the wings. During summertime the head and the neck get a reddish color, while wings become darker. the lower part of the body is white, beak and legs are dark.
Behaviour	it feeds in the seashore running back and forth following the tide movement.
Habitat	in spring and in summer, during nesting period, it can be found in rocky sites in arctic tundra. In the remaining period of the year it moves in sandy beaches and estuaries.
Flight	quick and direct.
Food habits	during the time spent on the beaches, it feeds on little crustaceans sticking the beak in the muddy areas of the seashore. In the reproductive areas it feeds on insects and larvae.
Migration	during migration it performs long non-stop flies between one stay area and the other. Adults leave the nidification areas in June-July, while the young leave one month later.
Nidification	it lays 4 olive-coloured eggs with brown spots. The nest is formed by a hollow in the ground coated by grasses and lichens. Incubation period lasts 22 - 24 days and both parents hatch the eggs.

Sources
References	Birds of Britain Oiseaux.net The BirdWeb
Web References	http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/ http://www.oiseaux.net/ http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/
Source of the photo	http://www.mangoverde.com/
Source of the call	http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/
Source of the video	http://www.hbw.com/ibc