Ornithology/Charadriiformes

Main article: Ornithology

Charadriiformes are medium-large birds that typically live near water, feeding off of invertebrates. There are about 350 species around the world. Stilts feed mainly on small aquatic animals like mollusks and crustaceans. They have long, thin necks, legs, and straight beaks, and partially webbed front toes. Most birds in this family have contrasting black and white plumage. Stilts are monogamous and lay three to four light colored eggs with dark markings. The chicks are downy and precocial. The Killdeer and the Laughing Gull are the only two birds that require knowledge of a call in 2020. However, the black-necked stilt used to require a call which can be found here.

Lapwings and Plovers (Charadriidae)

American Golden Plover Species Pluvialis dominica Habitat Arctic tundra of Canada and Alaska Diet Insects and crustaceans Conservation Least concern

Killdeer Species Charadrius vociferus Habitat Beaches and coastal wetlands Diet Insects, occasionally other invertebrates and seeds Call Link Conservation Least concern

Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)

American Oystercatcher Species Haematopus palliatus Habitat Beaches, marshes, and mudflats Diet Shellfish and marine invertebrates Conservation Least concern

Stilts and Avocets (Recurvirostridae)

Black-necked Stilt Species Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae Habitat Wetlands and coastlines Diet Invertebrates, small fish, tadpoles Conservation Least concern

American Avocet Species Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae Habitat Shallow, fresh and saltwater wetlands Diet Aquatic invertebrates Conservation Least concern

Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies (Scolopacidae)

Spotted Sandpiper Species Actitis macularius Habitat Stream banks and freshwater shores Diet Insects, crustaceans and invertebrates Conservation Least concern	Ruddy Turnstone Species Arenaria interpres Habitat Rocky shores or tundras Diet Invertebrates Conservation Least concern
Dunlin Species Calidris alpina Habitat Tundras and mudflats Diet Insects, molluscs and crustaceans Conservation Least concern	Wilson's Snipe Species Gallinago delicata Habitat Marshes, bogs and tundras Diet Insects and worms Conservation Least concern
American Woodcock Species Scolopax minor Habitat Forests Diet Earthworms and other invertebrates Conservation Least concern

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae)

Laughing Gull Species Leucophaeus atricilla Habitat Marshes Diet Molluscs, fish, insects Call Link Conservation Least concern	Ring-billed Gull Species Larus delawarensis Habitat Lakes, rivers and coasts Diet Insects, fish, grain Conservation Least concern
Herring Gull Species Larus argentatus Habitat Beaches, marshes and mudflats Diet Fish and crustaceans Conservation Least concern	Least Tern Species Sternula antillarum Habitat Coasts, beaches, estuaries Diet Small fish Conservation Least concern
Caspian Tern Species Hydroprogne caspia Habitat Lakes and ocean coasts Diet Fish Conservation Least concern	Black Tern Species Chlidonias niger Habitat Freshwater marshes Diet Insects and fish Conservation Least concern
Black Skimmer Species Rynchops niger Habitat Rivers, coasts and lagoons Diet Small fish, insects, crustaceans Conservation Least concern

Auks, Murres, and Puffins (Alcidae)

Common Murre Species Uria aalge Habitat Islands, rocky shores, cliffs Diet Small fish, molluscs, worms Conservation Least concern

Tufted Puffin Species Fratercula cirrhata Habitat Island coasts Diet Fish and marine invertebrates Conservation Least concern