Wader

Wader is a common term for shorebirds that forage in shallow water. In ornithology, waders comprise several families within the order Charadriiformes, and they are often collectively referred to as shorebirds. Waders include groups such as Scolopacidae (sandpipers, curlews, phalaropes) and Recurvirostridae (avocets and stilts), among others. They are characterized by long legs enabling them to wade through mud and shallow water, and bills adapted for probing, sweeping, or picking prey from the substrate. Diet typically consists of invertebrates such as crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, and worm-like organisms. Plumage varies seasonally and between species, and many display cryptic coloration for camouflage.

Waders occupy wetlands, estuaries, mudflats, riverbanks, and tundra ponds worldwide, with seasonal migrations linking breeding and wintering grounds. They are often gregarious, forming flocks outside the breeding season. Reproduction usually involves ground nests on open ground, with eggs and chicks camouflaged from predators. Many species have experienced population declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and changes in water regimes, and several are of conservation concern at regional or global levels.

In another sense, the word wader also refers to waterproof or water-resistant footwear worn to keep dry while working or recreating in wet conditions, such as fishing, farming, or hunting. Waders are typically made of rubber or waterproof fabrics and extend from the foot to the thigh or chest.

Notable species include various sandpipers, plovers, godwits, curlews, avocets, and stilts.