The Emirates College for Advanced Education has welcomed 80 educators in first cohort
uae20 hours ago
A young wading bird with just one leg has been sighted at Kalba Beach, evoking awe and surprise.
Local wildlife expert Mohammad Reza Khan said he was on a routine visit to Kalba on Tuesday morning when he astonishingly found the less than four-month-old Sanderling.
The bird was flying and feeding without any apparent issues despite having travelled roughly 5,000 kilometres from the Arctic Circle.
“Birds depend on their wings for flight, but their legs play a crucial role in take-off and landing," explained Khan.
“For Sanderlings, legs play an even more important part as they must swiftly run towards the water when waves pull back, searching for tiny crabs in the wet sand. Their rapid movements blur their legs as they scurry back and forth on the beach, probing for prey left behind by the retreating waves. I am amazed [at] how this tiny bird is managing all these activities with just one leg after travelling from the Arctic circle to the East Coast of the UAE,” said Khan marvelling at the bird’s resilience.
Sanderlings, classified as medium-sized 'peep' sandpipers, are easily recognised by their pale nonbreeding plumage, black legs, and bill, coupled with their habit of chasing waves.
Adults depart the breeding grounds early, leaving young birds to migrate on their own.
Reza Khan reckons this chick was hatched in July and migrated from a country in the Arctic region before arriving in Kalba enroute to the Red Sea Coast.
It remains uncertain whether the bird was born with one leg or lost it due to injury, although Khan leans toward the former as the more likely scenario.
“Sanderlings are voracious eaters, consuming a diverse range of small creatures on the beach, including sand crabs, amphipods, isopods, insects, marine worms. Doing all this with just one leg in a place where food is scarce is no small feat,” said Khan.
“Salute to you Sanderling,” Khan said in a LinkedIn post, Khan commending its spirit, courage, and determination during its flight to Kalba. He extended well wishes for a safe journey south and a return trip by March, as the bird heads back towards the Arctic.
The name Sanderling comes from Old English, meaning "sand-ploughman." Its genus name, derived from Ancient Greek, refers to grey-colored waterside birds. The specific name, alba, is Latin for "white." In its class of small wanderers, the Sanderling is known for being the whitest.
ALSO READ:
The Emirates College for Advanced Education has welcomed 80 educators in first cohort
uae20 hours ago
Fayrouz Al-Abdouli reportedly passed away on Tuesday evening
uae20 hours ago
The Zayed Educational Complex, named after the UAE Founding Father, will have a branch in the Al Salamah area
uae21 hours ago
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Zaki Nusseibeh, the first interpreter for the late Sheikh Zayed, founder of the UAE, talks about the days before unification and the rise of the leader who would transform the country into one of the world’s leading global players
uae21 hours ago
Patients will soon be able to track their doctor’s arrival in real-time, just like monitoring the progress of a food delivery
uae22 hours ago
To request support or inform the authorities about a case of maltreatment, here's a guide detailing where to go and whom to contact
uae22 hours ago
As per authorities, the accident tends to happen more during the winter months, when families keep their windows open or sit outside in the balcony to enjoy the cool weather
uae23 hours ago
Running until the end of January 2025, the awareness drive seeks to educate the public on road safety and help prevent reckless driving accidents
uae1 day ago