About Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids

Overview

Charadriiformes are a large, diverse order of 394 species of shorebirds, gulls, terns, auks and allies found on coasts, wetlands and open country worldwide. They show an extraordinary range of forms, from tiny plovers and sandpipers to soaring gulls and the auks. Most are associated with water and many undertake spectacular migrations. They are key components of aquatic ecosystems.

Classification

The order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids (Latin: CHARADRIIFORMES) comprises 19 families and roughly 394 living species. It is one of 44 orders that make up the class Aves.

Diversity & Distribution

Charadriiformes are a large, diverse order of 394 species of shorebirds, gulls, terns, auks and allies found on coasts, wetlands and open country worldwide.

Notable Families

Gulls, Terns, Skimmers, Sandpipers, Snipes, Plovers, Auks, Buttonquail, Coursers, Pratincoles and others.