Main Characteristics of Shorebirds

There are over 390 species of shorebirds.
Shorebirds are made up of three families: waders, gulls, and auks.
Most shorebirds have long, pointed wings.
Many of them are migratory birds and travel long distances regularly.
The most well-known shorebirds are the common tern, the seagull, the puffin, and the oystercatcher.
Shorebirds are carnivores or omnivores. They eat fish, worms, invertebrates, crustaceans, insects, and even some plants.
The largest shorebird is the great black-backed gull, which measures 24-31 inches (61-78 cm) in length and weighs between 3.3-4.4 pounds (1.5-2 kg).
The smallest shorebird is the least sandpiper, measuring 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 cm) in length and weighing 0.1-1 ounces (20-30 grams).

Shorebird Family Tree