Scolopacidae

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae

Actitis sp.—Spotted Sandpipers // Actitis macularia—Spotted Sandpiper // Calidris melanotos—Pectoral Sandpiper // Gallinago gallinago—Common Snipe // Limnodromus scolopaceus—Long-billed Dowitcher // Numenius americanus—Long-billed Curlew // Phalaropus fulicarius—Red Phalarope // Phalaropus lobatus—Red-necked Phalarope // Tringa melanoleuca—Greater Yellowlegs // Tringa semipalmata—Willet

Scolopacidae—Sandpipers, Curlews, and Relatives

Most members of the family use their bills to probe mud, sand, or soil for small invertebrates. Differences in overall size and in length of bills generally allow a number of species to coexist. Since most are primarily limited to relatively moist habitats where probing is possible, occurrences in our region tend to be restricted geographically. However, most sites are reasonably close to river valleys, Pleistocene lakes, or terrain with potential for temporary ponding.