Scolopacidae – Sandpipers & allies

Birds of this family will put even the best dancers to shame

The birds from this family are distinguished by the bobbing walk, flickering flight, and prominent white ‘pea’ in front of the wing.

These Old World waders may be found in various interior and coastal wetland settings; however, they avoid exposed tidal mudflats.
This family’s birds are usually migratory birds that travel south on a broad front, passing over deserts and mountains at night. Although this is a tiny, solitary wader, vast flocks congregate at night roosts, including moored boats.

These birds nest mostly in highland environments, along running rivers and streams. They can be found on sand or rock-lined edges, in dry meadows around ponds and lakes, and on protected coastal coastlines.