Shorebirds are a group of mostly highly migratory birds, many of which (but not all and not at all times) frequent seashores, marshes, lake shores or wetlands. Two major groups within the shorebird clan are the plovers and the sandpipers. American Oystercatcher, American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt are three additional species in the clan which have been seen in New England.

When attempting to identify a shorebird, keep in mind that size, shape, and behavior are often as helpful as plumage in determining the species.

In the thumbnails images above, the birds are sized to demonstrate their relative dimensions compared to other shorebirds. We also give body length information for each species. Be sure to pay attention to body shapes and postures in the illustrations.

When attempting to identify a shorebird using plumage, keep in mind the season: many species of shorebirds undergo transformative seasonal molts, usually for winter (basic plumage) and for spring and summer (breeding or alternate plumage). There is also, usually, a distinctive juvenile plumage. In this guide we attempt to show variations and seasonal molts as well as in-between plumages.

Due to the vast distances that most shorebird travel in the course of their annual migrations, many species are generally expected and observed at specific times of year. For example, in winter one can expect to find Purple Sandpipers, Dunlins and Sanderlings, usually at southern New England shore spots.

In spring, the first shorebirds to arrive in New England are American Woodcock (February), followed by Killdeer and then Wilson’s Snipe (March). Least Sandpipers and Greater Yellowlegs arrive in April. Most other species arrive in May, with the major movement being in the last week of May or even the first week of June. The reason for this movement late in the spring is that subarctic and arctic regions, where most of these migratory shorebirds are headed, are often covered by ice and snow until June.

Most shorebirds that nest in boreal regions finish their nesting activities by late June or, at the latest, early July. Many adults, the females in the majority of species, then leave the arctic or subarctic and begin their southward journeys, so that “fall” shorebird migration appears to start in early July. Eventually the males arrive in mid-August and the juveniles in September; migrant shorebirds move on to southern latitudes and, in many case, the southern hemisphere where they winter. By November, most species are far south of New England, although there are always a few lingerers.

The species accounts explain that certain species, such as Western Sandpiper or Long-billed Dowitcher, are extremely scarce in spring migration in New England, but expected, albeit in small numbers, in fall migration. Other species, such as Stilt Sandpiper or Baird’s Sandpiper, migrate primarily through the center of the continent, so that they are scarce in New England in both spring and fall.

Within each of the major groupings there are subgroups which are genetically related. Species that are genetically related often, but not always, exhibit behavioral similarities or similarity in habitat preference. For example, nearly all the sandpipers in the genus Tringa teeter slightly when walking and prefer shallow water rather than mudflats or sandy beaches when foraging. Plovers in the genus Pluvialis feed by running along on a sandy or muddy substrate, then stopping suddenly to pull up a worm or other food item.

This guide would not have been possible without the cooperation and collaboration of multiple people.

Brian Harrington, Alan Kneidel and Brad Winn of Manomet have been supportive and encouraging of the project.

Many photographers have selflessly contributed photos of shorebirds for this project:

These photos are being used in this guide solely for non-profit educational purposes. This shorebird guide or any portion of it may be used for non-profit educational purposes.