Sandpipers, Snipes and Phalaropes in South Africa

Learn about 20 birds from the Sandpipers, Snipes and Phalaropes family (Scolopacidae) found in South Africa. Includes 16 regular species and 4 vagrant visitors. Complete guide with photos and identification information.

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All Birds
20 results
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica

Near Threatened
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Least Concern
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquata

Near Threatened
Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Near Threatened
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

Least Concern
Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

Least Concern
Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicarius

Least Concern
Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minuta

Least Concern
Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

Near Threatened
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanus

Least Concern
Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Least Concern
Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnax

Least Concern
Sanderling

Sanderling

Calidris alba

Least Concern
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckii

Least Concern
Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Least Concern
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareola

Least Concern

Vagrant Scolopacidae Birds

Rare visitors that have been occasionally spotted in this area.

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

Near Threatened
Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Least Concern
Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Least Concern
Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropus

Least Concern

Explore More Birds in South Africa

By Family

Albatrosses Avocets and Stilts Barn Owls Bee-eaters Bustards Cormorants Crows and Jays Cuckoos Drongos Ducks, Geese and Swans Falcons and Caracaras Flamingos Grebes Gulls, Terns and Skimmers Hawks and Eagles Herons Hoopoes Jacanas Leaf Warblers Nightjars Northern Storm-petrels Old World Flycatchers and Chats Old World Orioles Old World Sparrows Old World Warblers Osprey Ostriches Parrots Penguins Petrels and Shearwaters Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys and Grouse Pigeons and Doves Pipits and Wagtails Plovers Rails, Gallinules and Coots Reed Warblers Sandpipers, Snipes and Phalaropes Secretarybird Shrikes Skuas Starlings Swallows and Martins Swifts Weavers