Vertebrate Zoology: A Tutorial - T. A. Dauda 2014

Metazoa
Class Aves
Superorder Neognathae — Order Charadriiformes, or Waders

This order unites small to medium-sized birds characterized by long legs; a bill that is typically elongated and straight, though occasionally curved; generally narrow wings; and a short tail. Their plumage is dense, usually grayish or brownish. Waders are distributed worldwide, although the majority of species prefer aquatic habitats and wetlands, with only a few inhabiting dry areas.

With few exceptions, waders are monogamous. They typically build their nests on the ground, and only a select few do so in trees. The clutch usually consists of four eggs. The development type of the chicks is precocial.

Their diet is diverse, most commonly comprising insects and their larvae, Mollusks, and worms, and less frequently, green plant parts, roots, and seeds.

Russia is home to approximately 70 species of waders. Most of these are migratory, while a few undertake short seasonal Migrations. Lapwings and snipes are widely distributed.

The northern lapwing is a wader about the size of a pigeon. Its bill and legs are relatively short, and its wings are broad and blunt. A long, narrow crest is clearly visible on its HEAD. The upperparts are black, while the flanks and breast are white. It inhabits damp meadows, grassy marshes, and fields. It frequently nests in colonies. Its call is a persistent, complaining "pee-weet, pee-weet." It is abundant across nearly the entire territory of our country, except for the tundra.

Among the Scolopacidae, the most widespread are curlews, woodcocks, and snipes. The Eurasian curlew is larger than a crow, with a sickle-curved bill. It nests in steppes, river floodplains, and large marshes. Outside the breeding season, it gathers in small flocks. It forages near Water, probing deeply into the mud with its bill. The Eurasian woodcock is the size of a pigeon, with short legs and a very long bill. It inhabits forests everywhere, excluding the northernmost regions. It builds its nest under the cover of bushes, tree stumps, or fallen logs. In spring, prior to mating, woodcocks perform courtship displays. This display flight, known as roding, begins after sunset. The common snipe is slightly larger than a starling. It occurs from the tundra to the steppes, keeping to damp, marshy areas. The flight of the snipe is swift, featuring several zigzags immediately after take-off, accompanied by a characteristic bleating call.

Other fairly common waders include the common greenshank, the wood sandpiper, the great snipe, the ruff, and the common sandpiper, while among the plovers, the grey plover and the European golden plover are found predominantly in northern regions. Most waders are game birds hunted for sport.