Head to estuaries, coastal marshes and lagoons this winter and catch up with some of the UK’s most elegant birds with our guide to wading birds. <\/p>
In winter, Britain’s estuaries, coastal lagoons and marshes offer the perfect conditions for wading birds to thrive. But what are wading birds? Why do they have such long legs? And which species of wading bird live in the UK?<\/p>
From the ubiquitous oystercatcher to the curve-billed curlew, our guide looks at nine of the UK’s most elegant waders, including how to identify them and the best places to see these waterbirds.<\/p>
Discover more about Britain’s 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 be interested in our guide to Britain’s rarest birds<\/a> and our guide to bird nests<\/a>.<\/p> A wading bird describes a waterbird with long legs that wades along the shoreline in search 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. <\/p> Long legs enable waders to forage in 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>What is a wading bird?<\/h2>
Why do wading birds have long legs?<\/h2>