Editing Sandpiper (section)

{{Short description|Family of birds}}
{{About|the bird}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Sandpipers
| fossil_range = [[Early Oligocene]] to recent
| image = Catoptrophorus semipalmatus edit.jpg
| image_caption = [[Willet]] (''Tringa semipalmata'')
| taxon = Scolopacidae
| authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1815
| type_genus = ''[[Scolopax]]''
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = * ''[[Bartramia (bird)|Bartramia]]''
* ''[[Numenius (bird)|Numenius]]''
* ''[[Limosa]]''
* ''[[Arenaria (bird)|Arenaria]]''
* ''[[Prosobonia]]''
* ''[[Calidris]]''
* ''[[Limnodromus]]''
* ''[[Scolopax]]''
* ''[[Coenocorypha]]''
* ''[[Lymnocryptes]]''
* ''[[Gallinago]]''
* ''[[Terek sandpiper|Xenus]]''
* ''[[Phalaropus]]''
* ''[[Actitis]]''
* ''[[Tringa]]''
}}

'''Scolopacidae''' is a large family of [[shorebird]]s, or waders, which mainly includes many species known as '''sandpipers''', but also others such as [[woodcock]]s, [[curlew]]s and [[snipe]]s. Most of these species eat small [[invertebrate]]s picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of [[beak|bills]] enable multiple species to feed in the same [[habitat]], particularly on the [[coast]], without direct competition for food.

Sandpipers have long bodies and legs, and narrow wings. Most species have a narrow bill, but the form and length are variable. They are small to medium-sized birds, measuring {{convert|12|to(-)|66|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length. The bills are sensitive, allowing the birds to feel the mud and [[sand]] as they probe for food. They generally have dull [[plumage]], with cryptic brown, grey, or streaked patterns, although some display brighter colours during the breeding season.<ref name=EoB>{{cite book|editor=Forshaw, Joseph|author= Harrison, Colin J.O.|year=1991|title=Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds|publisher= Merehurst Press|location=London|pages= 103–105|isbn= 1-85391-186-0}}</ref>

Most species nest in open areas and defend their territories with aerial displays. The [[Bird nest|nest]] itself is a simple scrape in the ground, in which the bird typically lays three or four [[Bird egg|eggs]]. The young of most species are [[precocial]].<ref name=EoB/>

[[File:Sandpiper nest with four eggs.jpg|thumb|Sandpiper nest with four eggs]]