Sandpipers, Snipes

Sandpipers are a diverse group of wading birds belonging to the family Scolopacidae, which also includes curlews and snipe. They exhibit a range of body sizes and bill shapes adapted to various ecological niches, typically consuming small invertebrates in coastal habitats. With body lengths ranging from 12 to 66 cm, they have sensitive, slender bills that vary in length, helping them locate prey beneath the mud or soil. Sandpipers are generally drab in color, with brown, grey, or streaked patterns, although some may become more colorful during breeding. These birds are mostly found across the Northern Hemisphere and are known for their open-area nesting habits and simple ground scrapes as nests where they lay three to four eggs. The young are self-sufficient shortly after hatching. The family was first scientifically described in 1815, encompasses around 98 species, and includes various genera such as Bartramia, Numenius, and Calidris. Most sandpipers evolved during the Oligocene to Miocene epochs, with a scarce fossil record from earlier times. Their foraging behavior is tactile, with some species exhibiting unique feeding styles such as probing mud or chasing aquatic prey. During breeding, strategies vary from monogamous pairs to more complex arrangements that may include polyandry and lek mating systems. Sandpipers' non-breeding distributions are widespread, including regions outside of the extreme deserts and Antarctica.