Charadriiformes

Charadriiformes Temporal range: Late Cretaceous-Recent, 75–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Subclass:	Neornithes
Superorder:	Neognathae
Order:	Charadriiformes Huxley, 1867
Families
see text.

Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species. It has members in all parts of the world. Most charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals. However, some are pelagic (sea birds), some occupy deserts, and a few are found in thick forest.