Charadriiformes

Charadriiformes
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous-Recent, 75–0 Ma
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Scientific classification
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Charadriiformes

Huxley, 1867
Families

see text.

Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species. It has members in all parts of the world. Most charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals. However, some are pelagic (sea birds), some occupy deserts, and a few are found in thick forest.

Families in taxonomic order

This is a list of the charadriiform families, presented in taxonomic order.

  • Suborder Scolopaci: snipe-like waders
    • Family Scolopacidae: snipe, sandpipers, phalaropes, and allies
  • Suborder Thinocori: aberrant charadriforms
    • Family Rostratulidae: painted snipe
    • Family Jacanidae: jacanas
    • Family Thinocoridae: seedsnipe
    • Family Pedionomidae: Plains Wanderer
  • Suborder Lari: gulls and allies
    • Family Laridae: gulls
    • Family Rhynchopidae: skimmers
    • Family Sternidae: terns
    • Family Alcidae: puffins, guillemots, murres, and allies
    • Family Stercorariidae: skuas
    • Family Glareolidae: pratincoles and coursers
    • Family Dromadidae: Crab Plover
  • Suborder Turnici: buttonquails
    • Family Turnicidae: buttonquails
  • Suborder Chionidi: thick-knees and allies
    • Family Burhinidae: thick-knees
    • Family Chionididae: sheathbills
    • Family Pluvianellidae: Magellanic Plover
  • Suborder Charadrii: plover-like waders
    • Family Ibidorhynchidae: Ibisbill
    • Family Recurvirostridae: avocets and stilts
    • Family Haematopodidae: oystercatchers
    • Family Charadriidae: plovers and lapwings