Mark A. Colwell, Professor in the Wildlife Department at Humboldt State University, has been studying shorebirds for nearly thirty years.

"This comprehensive text explores the ecology, conservation, and management of these fascinating birds." The Guardian "This excellent work should be on the shelf of anyone interested in shorebirds... it is an extremely valuable source of information." -- Tamas Szekely Ibis "A fine book." Choice "[This book] will fill an important need for information on a group of birds whose existence is being threatened... Recommended." Choice "A pleasure to read and a real asset to a biologist's bookshelf; both as a reference and as a source of inspiration." -- Golo Maurer Emu-Austral Ornithology "It is not often that one picks up a book and realizes he ... has been missing it for years without realizing it." -- David B. Lank The Condor

• Preface and Acknowledgments Part I Evolutionary Relationships, Anatomy and Morphology, and Breeding Biology 1 INTRODUCTION Diversity and Distribution Varied Ecomorphology Diverse Social Systems Globe- Trotting Migrants Wetland Dependence Conservation and Management Rationale for and Organization of this book 2 SYSTEMATICS, PHYLOGENY, AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHY Fossil History A Brief History of Shorebird Systematics Phylogeography Hybridization in Shorebirds Biogeography and Communities Conservation Implications 3 MORPHOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND PHYSIOLOGY Skeletal and Muscle System Integumentary System Sensory Apparatus, Foraging, and Digestion Digestive System Energetics and Thermoregulation Osmoregulation Reproductive System Conservation Implications 4 MATING SYSTEMS Defining a Mating System The Role of Ecological Factors Social versus Gene tic Relationships Parental Care Patterns Evolution of Polyandry Variance in Reproductive Success Size Dimorphism Sex Ratios Conservation Implications 5 BREEDING BIOLOGY Philopatry, Breeding Site Fidelity, and Dispersal Spring Arrival Schedules Courtship Behavior Breeding Densities Selection of a Breeding Site Eggs Incubation Hatching Chick Growth and Development Conservation Implications Part II Nonbreeding Ecology and Demography 6 MIGRATION Origins and Evolution Migration Strategies Physiology of Migration Hop, Skip, and Jump Populations and Flyways Conservation Implications 7 FORAGING ECOL OGY AND HABITAT USE Diets Foraging Maneuvers and Habitat Use Acquiring Energy Food Availability Individual Variation Conservation Implications 8 SHOREBIRDS AS PREDATORS Shorebird Predators and Their Prey Predicting Wetland Use Competition and Food Limitation Prey Reduction Community Ecology Conservation Implications 9 SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND WINTER SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Quantifying Spatial Distributions A Range of Social Organization Roosts Conservation Implications 10 POPULATION BIOLOGY Demography Survival Productivity Population Sizes and Trends Monitoring Programs Limiting Factors Human Impacts Conservation Implications Part III Management and Conservation 11 HABITAT CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT Decision Making in Wildlife Management Wetland Conservation Conservation Planning and Implementation Wetland Management Agricultural Lands Salt Ponds Sandy, Ocean- Fronting Beaches Conservation Implications 12 MANAGING PREDATORS Ethical Considerations and Decision Making Do Predators Limit Shorebird Populations? Methods of Control Conservation Implications 13 MANAGING HUMAN DISTURBANCE Definitions of Human Disturbance Characterizing Disturbance Responses to Disturbance Managing Disturbance Conservation Implications 14 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Professional Groups Environmental Education Ecotourism and Birding Festivals Books and Online Resources Conservation Implications Appendix Index