Shorebirds and waders

Shorebirds, often called waders in Europe, are a diverse group of birds adapted to feeding along coastlines, mudflats, estuaries, wetlands and shallow waters. Their name comes from the way many species "wade" through water using their long legs while searching for food.

These birds typically feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, molluscs and other small invertebrates found in mud, sand or tidal zones. Many have specialised bills designed for probing beneath the surface or picking prey from rocks and seaweed.