The birds in this family are usually found on shorelines and in wetlands around the world, although there are some species, like the upland sandpiper, that live in grasslands. They have rounded heads, medium to long legs, medium to long pointed bills. Most species eat small invertebrates from the ground or water using their sharp bills. Most are brown, gray and white. Their young are precocial and leave the nest and feed themselves shortly after birth. There are 89 species in this family and 36 species are found in North America. |