Waders, their bills, on the breeding grounds

[Bruce Roubin <>]

Jill,
I think you're on the right track when you write that  the bill length  
is no competitive advantage on the breeding grounds. I used to wonder  
about the same thing.
During the time spent on the breeding grounds - up to 8 weeks -  I  
understand the adult & chick diet is mostly insects, and is  
supplemented esp. by adults with some berries or other vegetative  
material.
Here below is an extract from Article by: Barry Taylor, PhD from

 http://www.answers.com/topic/scolopacidae-1


On northern breeding grounds most migratory species appear to eat  
predominantly insects and arachnids, which are abundant. On migration  
and on wintering grounds, very different animal prey may be taken and  
some species become dietary specialists. Few species take  
predominantly plant material, although ruffs and black-tailed godwits  
periodically eat only rice. When newly returned to the breeding  
grounds, many species may find animal food scarce and may temporarily  
supplement their diet with seeds and shoots, while great knots  
(Calidris tenuirostris) feed predominantly on berries throughout the  
breeding season. Berries may also have been the staple food of the  
Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis) when breeding.
Regards
Bruce Roubin
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