shorebirds library

Shorebirds is another diverse group of birds that live, nest and feed in-shore. Shorebirds have small bodies, long, thin legs and no webbing on their feet.

Featured Article: Sanderling

Sanderling, a shorebird. It is one of the sandpipers, but differs from the others in that it lacks a hind toe. See more »

Articles 1-20 of 32

Auk

Auk, a diving seabird related to the puffins, murres, and guillemots. Auks are found in the arctic regions; a few species spend the winter in temperate areas.

Avocet

Avocet, a wading bird with extremely long legs. It is found in both the Eastern and the Western hemispheres.

Brant

Brant, a wild goose of North America. The American brant is common along the eastern coast in winter.

Curlew

Curlew, a shorebird related to the sandpiper. It is named for its call, a harsh cur-leeuu.

Godwit

Godwit, a long-legged wading bird of the snipe family. Godwits are about 16 inches (40 cm) long.

Guillemot

Guillemot, a web-footed bird related to the auk and puffin. Most guillemots are about 13 inches (33 cm) long.

Gull

Gull, a web-footed, long-winged bird found both on oceans and inland waters. It is closely related to the tern.

Jacana

Jacana, a tropical wading bird related to the plover. Most species are about 10 inches (25 cm) long and have deep rusty-maroon plumage.

Jaeger

Jaeger, an arctic seabird. The adults of most species are about 21 inches (53 cm) long.

Killdeer

Killdeer, a bird named for its shrill, piercing cry, “Killdee! Killdee!” The mature bird is about 10 inches (25 cm) long.

Kittiwake

Kittiwake, for its high-pitched cry, "Keet! Keet! Wake! Wake!'' A full-grown kittiwake is 16 to 18 inches (41 to 46 cm) long.

Knot

Knot, or Red Knot, a shore bird found throughout much of the world. It nests on the tundra in the Arctic, and winters in the Southern Hemisphere.

Murre

Murre, a northern seabird. The murre is about 17 inches (43 cm) long. It has dark upper plumage, white underparts, and a pointed bill.

Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher, any member of a family of large shorebirds distantly related to plovers.

Phalarope, a shore bird. Phalaropes are 8 to 10 inches (20–25 cm) long. At breeding time, the female has more colorful plumage than the male, with darkish upper parts marked with light, and white or purplish-red lower parts.