Birds of the Beach
The Sandy Beach
The tides and the sandy seashore provide plenty of food for numerous shorebirds. Many different birds coexist here because they feed on slightly different marine and sand dwelling creatures. The body structure and behavior of each species is adapted for catching specific foods.
Subtle differences in feeding adaptations minimize direct competition, allowing for every aspect of the habitat to be used and defining each species’ ecological niche or role in the ecosystem.
The birds help maintain the balance of the beach ecosystem by preventing their prey from overpopulating. Many shorebirds also scavenge the beaches for remnants of decaying plants and animals washed ashore. Enjoy watching the shorebirds, and see if you can recognize any of their specific traits.
Marker can be reached from Broadway, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
