Another group of birds that are associated with marshes, wetlands, and alkali lakes are the terns and gulls. Terns and gulls are distant relatives of shorebirds and are often observed together foraging for food. Because of these reasons, terns and gulls will be grouped with the shorebirds. When it comes to identifying these birds in the field, marshbirds are much easier to identify than shorebirds. Marshbirds are frequently observed in pairs or singly.
Shorebirds usually flock into groups of ten or more.
Marshbirds have characteristic plumage patterns and colors that make them easier to identify. Shorebirds can be much more difficult to identify. For example, there are ten different species of sandpipers that are similar in appearance and may be the most difficult of all birds to identify. It is recommended that you invest in a good field guide that shows breeding, winter, and juvenile plumage characteristics for all species of birds. Binoculars are also a must if you want to correctly identify these birds since many of them are small and wary of intruders.