Types of Shorebirds

Types of Shorebirds American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Black Oyster Catcher Black Turnstone Dunlin Greater Yellowlegs Killdeer Long-billed Curlew Long-billed Dowitcher Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Marbled Godwit Pectoral Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Sanderling Semipalmated Plover Spotted Sandpiper Surfbird Western Sandpiper Willet Wilson's Phalarope

Shorebirds are a diverse group of birds that include sandpipers, plovers, stilts, avocets, snipes, oystercatchers, turnstones, and phalaropes.

They are migratory and most species can be found along coastal areas of the United States during spring and fall migration. Some species prefer fresh water habitats and they can be found at inland marshes and ponds. Most shorebird species share a characteristic of wading close to shore, poking their bills into the ground in search of food.

There is little history of sport hunting for many of the species, and consequently many are easily approached for pictures. Think, for example, of the times you meet up with them during a walk along the beach or inland pond.

Sandpipers are the largest family of shorebirds (family Scolopacidae). They are the comparatively smaller birds you see along the shoreline.

Two plover species, the Piping Plover and Snowy Plover are endangered species on the East and West Coasts respectively.

The links listed on the right take you to the picture and description of different shorebird species.