- Director: Alan Barillaro
- Year: 2016
Overview
A small sandpiper hatchling must learn to forage for clams on a beach swept by crashing waves. Her mother refuses to feed her, forcing the chick to leave the nest and find food herself. Terrified by a wave that drenches her, the chick retreats to the safety of the grass. She meets a small hermit crab who digs into the sand to avoid the incoming water. The chick copies this behavior and opens her eyes underwater, discovering where the clams hide when the tide rolls in. Armed with this new strategy, she easily gathers food for her flock, transforming from a fearful dependent into a highly efficient hunter.
Takeaways
Finding food on a beach isn't easy for a tiny bird. When her mother stops feeding her, she's forced to step out of her comfort zone and learn how to survive on her own. Even though getting soaked by a wave scares her at first, watching a little hermit crab teaches her a new trick: diving under the water instead of running away from it. By opening her eyes beneath the surf, she sees exactly where the clams are hiding. Facing her fears doesn't just help her get fed; it turns her into the best hunter in the flock.