Morphological Differentiation of the Sanderling (Calidris alba) at Chaplin Lake, Canada and Wintering Grounds in South America

Abstract

We measured Sanderlings (Calidris alba) at Chaplin Lake, Canada during the northward migration and compared data with unpublished information from wintering grounds of Chile and Peru. The morphological analysis show significant differences in weights between and amongst localities. These results can be explained by the period of the migration cycle in which the birds were measured. The birds were significantly heavier at the end of the non-breeding season and during migration.