Scolopacidae

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Scolopacidae

bird family

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July 13, 2026

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The Scolopacidae is a family of birds that belongs to the suborder Charadrii. This family includes well-known birds such as woodcocks, snipes, sandpipers, tattlers, curlews, and godwits. These are typically small to medium-sized birds, often displaying intricate patterns in shades of buff, brown, black, gray, and white. Their bills can vary from moderate to very long and slender, and may be straight, decurved, or recurved. The legs of these birds range from short to long and usually have transverse scales. A bird belonging to the Scolopacidae family is referred to as a scolopacine.123

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charadriiform
Annotated classification
Family Scolopacidae (snipe, woodcock, sandpipers, turnstones, and allies) Small to medium-sized birds, mostly finely patterned in buff, browns, chestnut, black, gray, and white. Bill moderate to
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Family Scolopacidae (snipe, woodcock, sandpipers, turnstones, and allies) Small to medium-sized birds, mostly finely patterned in buff, browns, chestnut, black, gray, and white. Bill moderate to
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greenshank
…World shorebird of the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). Greenshanks are gray birds with greenish legs and a white rump. Rather slender, about 30 cm (12 inches) long, they are deep waders and have a long, slightly upturned bill.
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…World shorebird of the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). Greenshanks are gray birds with greenish legs and a white rump. Rather slender, about 30 cm (12 inches) long, they are deep waders and have a long, slightly upturned bill.
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redshank
…World shorebirds of the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), characterized by its long reddish legs. In the common redshank (Tringa totanus), about 30 cm (12 inches) long, the legs are orange-red, the upper parts are brownish or gray, the rump and hind edge of the wing are white, and the upturned…
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…World shorebirds of the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), characterized by its long reddish legs. In the common redshank (Tringa totanus), about 30 cm (12 inches) long, the legs are orange-red, the upper parts are brownish or gray, the rump and hind edge of the wing are white, and the upturned…
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sandpiper
…shorebirds belonging to the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), which also includes the woodcocks and the snipes. The name sandpiper refers particularly to several species of small to middle-sized birds, about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long, that throng sea beaches and inland mud flats during migration.
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…shorebirds belonging to the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), which also includes the woodcocks and the snipes. The name sandpiper refers particularly to several species of small to middle-sized birds, about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long, that throng sea beaches and inland mud flats during migration.
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snipe
… belonging to the shorebird family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). Snipes frequent wet meadows and marshes and occur in temperate and warm regions worldwide. They are short-legged, long-billed, chunky birds that are striped and barred in brown, black, and white. The wings are pointed and angular, the eyes rear-set. The bill is…
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… belonging to the shorebird family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). Snipes frequent wet meadows and marshes and occur in temperate and warm regions worldwide. They are short-legged, long-billed, chunky birds that are striped and barred in brown, black, and white. The wings are pointed and angular, the eyes rear-set. The bill is…
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willet
…America, belonging to the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), which also includes the snipes, turnstones, and curlews. The willet is named for its loud call. Willets are about 40 centimetres (16 inches) long and gray, with striking black and white wings. With the wings closed, they resemble the greater yellowlegs. Once…
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…America, belonging to the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes), which also includes the snipes, turnstones, and curlews. The willet is named for its loud call. Willets are about 40 centimetres (16 inches) long and gray, with striking black and white wings. With the wings closed, they resemble the greater yellowlegs. Once…
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woodcock
…snipes in the waterbird family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). The woodcock is a startling game bird: crouched among dead leaves, well camouflaged by its buffy-brown, mottled plumage, a woodcock remains motionless until almost stepped upon and then takes off in an explosive movement. With its eyes set farther back on the…
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…snipes in the waterbird family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). The woodcock is a startling game bird: crouched among dead leaves, well camouflaged by its buffy-brown, mottled plumage, a woodcock remains motionless until almost stepped upon and then takes off in an explosive movement. With its eyes set farther back on the…
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