Shorebird Species observed.
Including all land and water shorebirds like Sandpipers (Scolopacidae), Petrels (Oceanitidae), Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae), Stilt, and avocet (Recurvirostridae)
Photography by Mitch Doucet
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Species on this page.
Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Black Turnstone., Sanderling, Solitary Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Stilt Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Red-necked Phalarope, Red Phalarope,, Wilson’s Phalarope, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Willet, American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe,, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Upland Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Western Sandpiper, and Surfbird.
Greater Yellowlegs
Common in any shallow-water or mudflat habitat.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Habitat similar to Greater Yellowlegs, but may prefer slightly shallower mare grassy and less open sites.
Least Sandpiper
Common and found on virtually any bit of exposed mud or grassy mudflat.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Common and in large groups during fall migration
Spotted Sandpiper
Found on ponds and streams, particularly on rocky shores and steep banks.
Ruddy Turnstone
Uses short upturned bull to flop over rocks and debris in search of food.
Black Turnstone
Slightly bulkier and much darker overall than ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Found along sandy beaches with some wave action.
Solitary Sandpiper
Found especially at the edges of small brushy ponds or ditches
Short-billed Dowitcher
Forages in shallow muddy pools, usually forming tight flocks all with heads down busily probing in mud.
Long-billed Dowitcher
Forages in shallow muddy pools. Nests on grassy tundra.
Stilt Sandpiper
Uncommon but found on open shallow muddy ponds such as flooded fields, salt pans, etc…
Whimbrel
During migration and winter found on grassy mudflats, tidal flats, beaches, and coastal rocks.
Red-necked Phalarope
Forages by picking insect larvae and other tiny prey from the water surface.
Red Phalarope
Nests in grass near high-artic tundra ponds and migrates in small flocks in the winter.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Picks minute prey from water’s surface.
Dunlin
Nests on moist to wet tundra with grassy tussocks.
Purple Sandpiper
Found almost exclusively on wave-washed rocks
Willet
Nests in grassy marshes and meadows.
American Woodcock
Secretive on damp ground under dense cover within woods.
Wilson’s Snipe
Often seen flying high over these habitats and then plunging down
White-rumped Sandpiper
Usually mixed with other peeps, feeds in slightly deeper water
Pectoral Sandpiper
Nests on grassy lowland tundra
Red Knot
Nests on the tundra near marshy areas, walk and pick food methodically
Marbled Godwit
Rare in our province, found on mudflats and sandflats and on beaches. Nests around prairie ponds.
Hudsonian Godwit
Forages on mudflats and in shallow water
American Oystercatcher
Rare in our province. Forages on sand flats and shell bars at low tide. Nests on sandbars and dunes just above the high-tide line.
Upland Sandpiper
Nests on grassy fields where the grass is about 4 to 8 inches high
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Uncommon, forages in dry shortgrass habitats, such as sod farms or drying edges of ponds.
Baird’s Sandpiper
Nests on barren gravel ridges with lunches and a few low plants.
American Avocet
Rare to the province. Nests along the edges of shallow weedy ponds or lakes. Tests in a compact flock
Black-necked Stilt
Shender shape, black and white plumage, and extraordinarily long red legs.
Long-billed Curlew
Told from Whimbrel by larger size, longer bill, warmer color, and cinnamon wings.
Western Sandpiper
Rare on the East Coast, Can be found on mudflats and sandy beaches, and mixes freely with Semipalmated Sandpiper
Surfbird
Larger than turnstones and other rock-loving shorebirds
