Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are a clade of beach-dwelling birds that forage along the ocean for invertebrates. While most can fly, not all of them are as great at it as other species. The extinct great auk was actually a flightless member of this order. These birds are important because their guano enriches the soil of islands with marine nutrients, ensuring vegetation can remain viable, they feed on common pests, that plague ecosystems, and perform substrate aeration, through foraging habits. Unfortunately, shorebirds, as a whole, are in danger of extinction due to climate change, development, and invasive species. Human disturbance, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels are taking away vital habitat and resources. Subsidized invasives, like feral cats, are outcompeting native predators, over-predating on nests, and spilling pathogens into local environments. Solutions to saving the various species of shorebirds include managing invasive species + their introductions, protecting existing colonies, as well as undeveloped islands, and re-establishing native flora on dunes, preventing their collapse. Shorebirds: • Plover • Sandpiper • Oystercatcher
Credits: Ali~Saor (On YouTube) Sprite Work: Ceres4S2D1 Sounds: Scratch
