SHOREBIRDS of Africa
Most Shorebirds walk along shores probing for food with their thin sensitive bills. Bill length varies considerably so differing species can work the same shore and obtain different food supplies. Shorebirds include sandpipers, godwits, stilts, oystercatchers, plovers, and many more. Shorebirds belong to the Charadriiformes order which also includes the Gulls and Allies.
Note: the term Shorebirds is used in the Americas; elsewhere "waders" is used. We will reserve "waders" for herons and allies.
Note: the term Shorebirds is used in the Americas; elsewhere "waders" is used. We will reserve "waders" for herons and allies.
Long Billed Shorebirds
Order Charadriiformes Suborder Scolopaci Family Scolopacidae
Suborder Scolopaci contains one family, Scolopacidae. This family contrains the shorter-blled sandpipers and allies and also longer-billed species such as the godwits and curlews.
Genus Actitis
Sandpiper, Common Actitis hypoleucos Found: North America (rarely), Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia
Photographed by: 1) Juan Emilio 2) Steve Garvie 3) Dick Daniels - Scotland 4) Dick - Scotland
Genus Limnodromus
Dowitcher, Long-billed Limnodromus scolopaceus Found: North America, Asia. Rare: South America, Europe, Africa
Photographed by: 1, 3, 5) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 2) Dick - Sanibel Island, Florida
4) Alan D. Wilson - Birding Center, Port Aransas,
Genus Limosa
Godwit, Bar-tailed Limosa lapponica Found: North America (Alaska), Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Tim Bowman, US Fish and Wildlife Service 3) Dick Daniels - Australia 4, 5) Dick - Australia
4) Juvenile 5) Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin
Godwit, Black-tailed Limosa limosa Found: North America (rarely on Atlantic coast), Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
Photographed by: 1) Frank Vassen - Poland 2, 3) Hans Hillewaert - Uitkerkse Polders, Belgium
-2.jpg){kind=link}
Genus Tringa
Redshank, Spotted Tringa erythropus Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
Photographed by: Lip Kee Yap
Sandpiper, Green Tringa ochropus Found: Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar to the Solitary Sandpiper
-_In_Breeding_plumage_at_Bharatpur_I_IMG_5533.jpg){kind=link}
_W_IMG_6454.jpg){kind=link}
Sandpiper, Marsh Tringa stagnatilis Found: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels near Johannesburg, South Africa 2) Dick - Tanzania
Sandpiper, Wood Tringa glareola Found: North America (rarely), Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
Photographed by: 1) Alnus - Taoyuan County, Taiwan 2) JJ Harrison - Thailand 3) Dick Daniels - Tanzania
Genus Gallinago
Snipe, Common Gallinago gallinago Found: North America (Alaska), South America (Northwest), Europe, Asia, Africa
Similar to Wilson's Snipe. Wilson's and the Common Snipe were previously considered to be one species. Common Snipes usually have 7 pairs of tail
feathers while Wilson Snipes have 8 pairs. The easist way to tell them apart is by location: Common are predominately Old World and Wilson's are predominately New World.
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.