Sandpipers are a large family of waders or shorebirds. They include 96 species called sandpipers, as well as those called by names such as curlew and snipe. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Sandpipers have long bodies and legs, and narrow wings. Most species have a narrow bill, but otherwise the form and length are quite variable. The bills are sensitive, allowing the birds to feel the mud and sand as they probe for food. They generally have dull plumage, with cryptic brown, grey, or streaked patterns, although some display brighter colours during the breeding season.
Tringa erythropus
Spotted Redshank | Tringa erythropus | Photo made near Kamperland, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Photo made in the "Noordervroon" near Westkapelle, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Photo made in the "Noordervroon" near Westkapelle, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Photo made in the "Noordervroon" near Westkapelle, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Photo made in the "Noordervroon" near Westkapelle, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Photo made in the "Noordervroon" near Westkapelle, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Calidris alba
Sanderling | Calidris alba | Photo made at the "Brouwersdam" near Ouddorp, The Netherlands | 02-01-2021
Charadrius dubius
Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius | Photo made in the Keent near Grave, The Netherlands | 01-01-2021
* First record for January in the Netherlands *
Arenaria interpres
Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | Photo made at the Noordpier in IJmuiden, The Netherlands | 07-08-2019
Calidris maritima
Purple Sandpiper | Calidris maritima | Photo made at the Noordpier in IJmuiden, The Netherlands | 07-08-2019
Calidris alpina
Dunlin | Calidris alpina | Photo made at the Noordpier in IJmuiden, The Netherlands | 07-08-2019
Calidris falcinellus
Broad-billed Sandpiper | Calidris falcinellus | Photo made at the Ezumakeeg Zuid in the Lauwersmeer, The Netherlands | 17-05-2019
Limosa lapponica
Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | Photo made near Miranda, New Zealand | 26-02-2019
Limosa lapponica
Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | Photo made near Miranda, New Zealand | 26-02-2019
Calidris bairdii
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | Photo made in Deventer, The Netherlands | 03-11-2018
Gallinago nigripennis
African Snipe | Gallinago nigripennis | Photo made in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda | 16-02-2018
Calidris pygmaea
Spoon-billed Sandpiper | Calidris pygmaea | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Calidris pygmaea
Spoon-billed Sandpiper | Calidris pygmaea | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Calidris pygmaea
Spoon-billed Sandpiper | Calidris pygmaea | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Tringa guttifer
Nordmann's Greenshank | Tringa guttifer | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Tringa guttifer
Nordmann's Greenshank | Tringa guttifer | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Tringa stagnatilis
Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | Photo made at the salt pans of Pak Tale, Thailand | 14-02-2016
Actitis macularius
Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularius | Photo made in Medemblik, The Netherlands | 10-04-2015
Actitis macularius
Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularius | Photo made in Medemblik, The Netherlands | 01-02-2015
Calidris subruficollis
Buff-breasted Sandpiper | Calidris subruficollis | Photo made at the Maasvlakte near Europoort, The Netherlands | 20-10-2014
Calidris subruficollis
Buff-breasted Sandpiper | Calidris subruficollis | Photo made at the Maasvlakte near Europoort, The Netherlands | 20-10-2014
Limosa limosa
Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | Photo made at the Onnerpolder near Groningen, The Netherlands | 14-06-2014
Actitis macularius
Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularius | Photo made Photo made at the Sarapiqui River, Costa Rica | 24-02-2014
Calidris bairdii
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | Photo made in Wassenaar, The Netherlands | 30-08-2012
Calidris bairdii
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | Photo made in Wassenaar, The Netherlands | 30-08-2012
Calidris bairdii
Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | Photo made in Wassenaar, The Netherlands | 30-08-2012
Scolopax rusticola
Eurasian Woodcock | Scolopax rusticola | Photo made in Sirjansland, The Netherlands | 01-01-2011
Limosa limosa
Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | Photo made at Lake Langano, Ethiopia | 17-01-2010
Lymnocryptes minimus
Jack Snipe | Lymnocryptes minimus | Photo made at the Dijkgatbos near Den Oever, The Netherlands | 03-01-2010
Calidris alpina
Dunlin | Calidris alpina | Photo made in Burgerbrug, The Netherlands | 06-10-2007