More about Shorebirds

What are Shorebirds?
Shorebirds are also called Waders because they often wade in shallow water in search of prey

They’re also called “Shorebirds” because they live on shores of water bodies

They comprise 10% of Australia’s bird population

Waders are well adapted to their Environment – their feather colour provides camouflage

They inhabit Wetlands, from Mangrove-lined foreshores, salt marshes and beaches on our coastline, to inland dams, lakes and swamps

Waders are birds of the tide – feeding at low tide on exposed mudflats and resting at high tide near the shoreline

They need to rest and feed undisturbed to build fat reserves for Migration

Waders are Habitat Specialists – they’re unlikely to survive if their Wetlands are altered or diminished

Migration
Migration is travel in search of warmer weather and better feeding areas

Waders migrate to the Northern Hemisphere to breed

They feed intensively to build up fat reserves before departure

They depart in March-April

Stopovers in intermediate Wetlands are essential to replenish fat reserves

Waders breed mainly in Siberia and Alaska, but also in China and Mongolia

Hatching is timed to coincide with the emergence of millions of insects as a food source for chicks

Waders return south after breeding

They arrive back here in September – October            

Pathways travelled during Migration are called “Flyways”

Our Waders travel the East Asian – Australasian Flyway

We know about their travel routes and other information because of research done by Volunteers

Feeding & Conservation
Waders or Shorebirds feed on shorelines, mainly on exposed Mudflats

They feed by two main methods: surface feeding and probing beneath the surface

Shorebirds eat invertebrates: crustaceans, worms and molluscs

Different bills capture different prey, minimising competition

On the breeding grounds, diet consists of berries, seeds, insects and their larvae
                 
Threats to the Shorebirds’ survival include: Habitat loss, pollution, disturbance (human and animal) and predation

Waders are Wetlands Specialists and retaining Wetlands throughout the Flyway is critical to their survival

There are Conservation agreements and strategies at international, national and state levels
             
We can help protect our Waders by following advice on Queensland Parks and Wildlife signage

We can also help by joining the Queensland Wader Study Group and becoming involved in their activities

Acknowledgement to Queensland Wader Study Group