A small, whitish wader normally seen in small numbers on sandy beaches. It runs along the beach feeding on invertebrates in the sand freshly exposed by receding waves, running back up the beach out of the way of incoming waves.
Scientific Name: Calidris alba
Creole name: Bekaso Blan
Wingspan: 40-45cm
Population in Seychelles: Unknown
World Distribution: Arctic breeder, and a long-distance migrant
Habitat: High Arctic during breeding
Nests: Ground scrape
Eggs: 3–4 eggs
Diet: Invertebrates buried in the sand in the upper intertidal zone.
Identification: Winter bird is pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch, in summer face and throat become brick-red. The juvenile bird is spangled black and white and shows much more contrast than the adult.
See more
Species Fact Sheet at BirdLife Data Zone
(Photo credit: Ludivine Ammon)