SHOREBIRDS of Australasia
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.
Avocets and Stilts
Order Charadriiformes Suborder Charadrii Family Recurvirostridae
Avocets and stilts have very long thin legs and long bills. The stilt bills are straight, while avocet bills are curved upward. Avocets and stilts are aprroximately the same height and often can be found in mixed groups.
Genus Recurvirostra
Avocet, Red-necked Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Found: Australia
Photographed by: Grahame - Rottnest Island (off coast of western Australia)
Genus Cladorhynchus - 1 species
Stilt, Banded Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Helenabella - Rottnest Island (off coast of western Australia)
Genus Himantopus
Stilt, Black Himantopus novaezelandiae Found: New Zealand
Photographed by Dick Daniels - Kiwi Birdlife Park, New Zealand. Current population estimated - 22 birds.
Stilt, Pied aka White-headed Stilt (in Australia aka Black-winged Stilt) Himantopus leucocephalus Found: Australasia
The Pied Stilt is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Black-winged Stilt. In this case it would be identified as Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus.
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.