{"id":240,"date":"2021-12-27T10:40:12","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T09:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=34353"},"modified":"2021-12-27T10:53:12","modified_gmt":"2021-12-27T09:53:12","slug":"guide-to-wading-birds-how-to-identify-and-where-to-see","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/guide-to-wading-birds-how-to-identify-and-where-to-see\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to wading birds: how to identify and where to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 27 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

In winter, Britain\u2019s estuaries, coastal lagoons and marshes offer the perfect conditions for wading birds to thrive.\u00a0But\u00a0what are wading birds? Why do they have such long legs? And which species of wading birds live in the UK?<\/p>\n

From the ubiquitous oystercatcher to the curve-billed curlew, our guide looks at nine of the UK\u2019s most elegant waders, including how to identify and the best places to see.<\/p>\n

Discover more about Britain\u2019s birdlife with our guides to common seabirds<\/a>, garden birds<\/a>, birds of prey<\/a>, finch species<\/a>, tit species<\/a>, ducks<\/a>, geese<\/a> and swans<\/a>. You may also are interested in our guide to Britain\u2019s rarest birds<\/a> and our guide to bird nests<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Eurasian\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Eurasian oystercatchers have an\u00a0unmistakable carrot-coloured bill\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

What is a wading bird?<\/h2>\n

A wading bird describes a waterbird with long legs that wades along the shoreline in\u00a0search of food. In America, they are know as shorebirds. Waders range in size, shape and colour and usually \u2013 but not always \u2013 have a long bill. As with all animals, the physiology of wading birds is integral to their existence.<\/p>\n

Why do wading birds have long legs?<\/h2>\n

Long legs enable waders to forage is deep water, while elongated, agile toes help them to balance in fast currents and unstable mud. Their bills vary in length and shape, depending on their food preferences, but are often long and slightly curved. And powerful neck muscles allow some species \u2013 such as herons and stalks<\/a> \u2013 to spear their prey.<\/p>\n

What do wading birds eat?<\/h2>\n

Wading birds usually eat aquatic organisms, such as worms, molluscs and crustaceans. Their long bills are\u00a0adapted to find prey just under the surface of the water.<\/p>\n

More related content:<\/p>\n