A Prairie nester, common in shallow ponds, marshes and along lake shores. Tall and 18 inches long, the adult breeding plumage is rusty head and neck, black and white body with long blue legs. The American Avocet has a long, narrow upcurved bill that it uses for feeding by sweeping the bill side to side in the water.

A migrant Arctic nester, that is medium, and chunky in size, about 11 inches long. The adult breeding plumage is rusty underparts with dark bars and spots, a distinct pale yellow eyebrow, and short green legs. Feeds by rapidly probing the mud with its bill like a sewing machine. There are both short and a long billed variety ( short billed shown here).

An Arctic nester that is tall and measures 15.5 inches on average. Adult breeding plumage is dark over chestnut body, a white wing stripe and a black tail with white rump. In flight it shows black and white pattern from underwing. It also has a long and very slightly upcurved bill, that is black at the tip.

A prairie nester that prefers fields, pastures or graveled areas. Medium in size, measuring 10 inches long. The Adult breeding plumage is a dull brown over white body with tawny rump and long tail. There are 2 distinctive neck bands, and a dark band over brow. The Killdeer is named for its loud clear call.

A Prairie nester that prefers sandy or pebbly beach. A rarely found and endangered species. It is small measuring 7.25 inches. The adult breeding plumage is dark band over brow with pale sandy brown over white body and dark breast band. The legs are orange and short bill that is yellow with black tip.

a migrant arctic nester, that is small, only measuring 8 inches. The adult breeding plumage is is a rusty color head and chest with brown black. Winter plumage is gray over white body. Having long black legs and a straight blunt bill it feeds on sandy beaches by sprinting just out of surfs reach.

Another migrant arctic nester that is small, measuring 6.25 inches. The adult breeding plumage is drab brown of white body with streaks on breast and black legs. Having a straight bill it feeds with a rapid jabbing motion.

Migrant Arctic nester. Small measuring 8.5 inches. The adult breeding plumage is stripped crown chestnut patch on side of head, heavily bared underparts with green legs. Slender bill with slight droop at tip that it uses to feed with a rapid jabbing motion. Often found in the company of Dowitchers (see above).

A prairie nester that prefers sloughs and marshes. It has a needle like bill and is small measuring 9 inches long. Female adult plumage is a stripe of black on face blending to cinnamon on neck. Male is duller and has pale cinnamon wash on neck. Slender and dainty this bird is most often seen on the water. Feeds by spinning quickly in water to stir up prey.