and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. One species has been recorded in Maryland. American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (R*) Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small- to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are usually found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Eight confirmed species and one of questionable origin have been recorded in Maryland. Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (R) Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis (QO) Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (R*) Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (R) Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small- to medium-sized shorebirds, including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-six species have been recorded in Maryland. Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus (R*) Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (R) (X) Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (R) Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica (R*) Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa (R*) Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres Red knot, Calidris canutus (R*) Ruff, Calidris pugnax (R*) Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (R) Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (R) Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis (R) Sanderling, Calidris alba Dunlin, Calidris alpina Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (R*) Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii Little stint, Calidris minuta (R) Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus (R*) American woodcock, Scolopax minor Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes Willet, Tringa semipalmata Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (R*) Skuas and jaegers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae The skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large