This is a list of Charadriiformes species by global population. Charadriiformes (Charadrius being Latin for "plover") is the taxonomic order to which the waders, gulls, and auks belong. While numbers are estimates, they have been made by the experts in their fields.
Not all Charadriiformes have had their numbers quantified, but species without population estimates are included in a secondary table below.
The Charadriiformes were sometimes grouped with the Ciconiiformes in older taxonomic systems (e.g., Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy). However, the American Ornithological Society, International Ornithologists' Union (IOC) and BirdLife International, which informs IUCN taxonomy, now agree on it being a separate order following more recent genetic analyses.
A variety of methods are used for counting Charadriiformes. For example, the piping plover is subject to the quinquennial Piping Plover International Census, which is carried out in 9 Canadian provinces, 32 US states, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the 2006 survey, Saskatchewan alone had 159 volunteers scour 294 waterbodies. The mountain plover has had its nests counted through the drive transect method. Once density has been calculated, the numbers are extrapolated over a bird's range. For more information on how these estimates were ascertained, see Wikipedia's articles on population biology and population ecology.
The IOC World Bird List (version 15.1) recognizes 392 species of Charadriiformes, eight of which are extinct. There are several disagreements about the species status of taxa within Charadriiformes. As of January 2026, IOC lists ten species which are considered subspecies by IUCN/BirdLife International. Similarly, IUCN/BirdLife International list three species which still have subspecies status in IOC taxonomies. See 'Notes' column of included tables for more information on these taxonomic disputes.
This list follows IUCN classifications for species names and taxonomy. Where IUCN classifications differ from other ornithological authorities, alternative names and taxonomies are noted.
Some members of Charadriiformes are extinct:
Christmas sandpiper, or Kiritimati sandpiper (Prosobonia cancellata) - likely extinct by 1860. Tahiti sandpiper (Prosobonia leucoptera) - last seen in 1777, when only specimen was collected. Moorea sandpiper (Prosobonia ellisi) - last seen in 1777, when only specimen was collected. Canarian oystercatcher, or Canary Islands oystercatcher (Haematopus meadewaldoi) - last specimen collected in 1913; last observations occurred in 1940s. Great auk (Pinguinus impennis) - extinct from being hunted; last observed in 1852. Slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) - last observed in 1995; declared extinct in 2025. North Island snipe (Coenocorypha barrierensis) - last recorded in 1870. South Island snipe (Coenocorypha iredalei) - last recorded in 1964.
Species by global population Common nameBinomial namePopulationStatusTrendNotesImageJavan lapwingVanellus macropterus0-49 May be extinct. Last confirmed sighting was in 1939.Eskimo curlewNumenius borealis0-49 ?May be extinct. Last confirmed sighting in 1963.New Caledonian buttonquailTurnix novaecaledoniae0-49 ?May be extinct. Last sighting was in 1911. Black stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae 1-49 ? Population consists primarily of captive-reared birds, which are not counted toward IUCN population estimates. Total population numbered 156 individuals as of 2023. Jerdon's courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus 1-50 ? Probably still extant, but no confirmed observations since 2009. Buff-breasted buttonquail Turnix olivii 1-249 ? May be extinct. Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 1-49. Chinese crested tern Thalasseus bernsteini 30-49 Southern red-breasted plover (Southern New Zealand dotterel; New Zealand plover)Anarhynchus obscurus 60-80 Total population is estimated to be 120 individuals. Note that IUCN/BirdLife International split New Zealand dotterel into two species – this one and the northern red-breasted plover.
IOC taxonomy maintains both of these species as New Zealand plover (Anarhynchus obscurus). Shore plover Thinornis novaeseelandiae 170 Estimate from 2021/22 counts of 85 breeding pairs. Chatham Islands oystercatcher Haematopus chathamensis 200-249 Spoon-billed sandpiperCalidris pygmaea240-620 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 490. Magellanic plover Pluvianellus socialis 250-999 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 330.Plains-wandererPedionomus torquatus251-5,000Population varies substantially based on drought conditions. Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 251–1,000. Australian painted-snipe Rostratula australis 270-410 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 340. Saint Helena plover Anarhynchus sanctaehelenae 545 IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Charadrius. Lava gull Leucophaeus fuliginosus 600-800 Total population has been estimated to be 900–1,200 individuals. May be an overestimate. IUCN/BirdLife International place species in genus Larus. Peruvian tern Sternula lorata 600-1,700 Total population is estimated to be 1,000-2,499 individuals. Snowy-crowned tern Sterna trudeaui 670-6,700 Total population is estimated to be 1,000-10,000 individuals. Tuamotu sandpiper Prosobonia parvirostris 700-1,100 Maximum estimate for total population is 1,600 individuals. Madagascar jacana Actophilornis albinucha 780-1,643 Total population is estimated to be 975–2,064 individuals. Black-bellied ternSterna acuticauda 800-1,600 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 900–1,100. Spotted greenshank (Nordmann's greenshank)Tringa guttifer 900-1,600 Total population is estimated to be 1,500-2,000 individuals. Snares Island snipe (Snares snipe)Coenocorypha huegeli1,000-1,500 Black-fronted ternChlidonias albostriatus 1,000-5,000 Total population is estimated to be 1,827-10,611 individuals.Long-billed ploverCharadrius placidus1,000-10,000?Values given are for total population. Estimate is an uncertain one; range and habitat are largely unsurveyed. Belcher's gull Larus belcheri 1,000-10,000 Values given are for total population. Javan ploverAnarhynchus javanicus1,300-4,000Total population is estimated to be 2,000-6,000 individuals, though it is likely to be larger. IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Charadrius. Diademed plover (Diademed sandpiper-plover)Phegornis mitchellii 1,500-7,000 Total population is estimated to be 2,500-9,999 individuals. Chatham Islands snipe Coenocorypha pusilla 1,800-2,200 Total population is estimated to be 2,700-3,300 individuals. Black-banded plover (Madagascar plover) Anarhynchus thoracicus 1,800-2,300 Total population is estimated to be 2,700-3,500 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Charadrius.Northern red-breasted plover (Northern New Zealand dotterel; New Zealand plover)Anarhynchus aquilonius1,900Total population is estimated to be 2,600 individuals. Note that IUCN/BirdLife International split New Zealand dotterel into two species – this one and the southern red-breasted plover.
IOC taxonomy maintains both of these species as New Zealand plover (Anarhynchus obscurus). Imperial snipe Gallinago imperialis 2,100-5,400 Total population is estimated to be 3,000-6,000 individuals. Damara tern Sternula balaenarum 2,200-5,700 Kerguelen tern Sterna virgata 2,300-4,300 Total population is estimated to be 3,500-6,500 individuals. Indian skimmer Rynchops albicollis 2,450-2,900 Total population is estimated to be 3,700-4,400 individuals. Madagascar snipe Gallinago macrodactyla 2,500-9,999 Wood snipeGallinago nemoricola 2,500-9,999 Fairy ternSternula nereis2,500-9,999 Fuegian snipe Gallinago stricklandii 2,500-9,999 Amami woodcock Scolopax mira 2,500-9,999 ? Javan woodcockScolopax saturata2,500-9,999Chilean skuaCatharacta chilensis2,500-9,999Tentative estimate; may be an underestimate.Andean avocetRecurvirostra andina2,500-9,999Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 5,000. Spot-breasted lapwingVanellus melanocephalus 2,500-9,999 ? Total population is tentatively estimated to be <10,000 individuals. Noble snipeGallinago nobilis2,500-15,000Peruvian thick-kneeBurhinus superciliaris2,700-3,600Total population is estimated to be 4,550 individuals. Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis 3,000-3,300 Total population is estimated to be 4,500-5,000 individuals. Black-breasted buttonquail Turnix melanogaster 3,000-6,500 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 4,800. Madagascar pratincole Glareola ocularis 3,300-6,700 Total population is estimated to be 5,000-10,000 individuals.Andean snipe (Jameson's snipe)Gallinago jamesoni3,900-5,200?Total population is estimated to be 6,500 individuals.Puna ploverAnarhynchus alticola4,000-7,000?Total population is estimated to be 8,350 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International place species in genus Charadrius.Beach thick-knee (Beach stone-curlew)Esacus magnirostris4,100-8,000 African oystercatcher Haematopus moquini 4,450 Total population is estimated to be 6,670 individuals. Guadalupe murrelet Synthliboramphus hypoleucus 5,000 Total population is estimated to be 7,500 individuals. Malay plover (Malaysian plover) Anarhynchus peronii 5,000-15,000 Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 10,000-15,000. IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Charadrius.White-bellied seedsnipeAttagis malouinus5,000-20,000Total population is estimated to be 8,000-25,000 individuals.Puna snipeGallinago andina5,000-20,000Total population is estimated to be 0,000-25,000 individuals.Variable oystercatcherHaematopus unicolor5,000-20,000 Japanese murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume 5,200-9,400 Hooded ploverThinornis cucullatus5,350-5,500Pied oystercatcherHaematopus longirostris6,000-8,000Total population is estimated to be 11,000 individuals. South polar skua Stercorarius maccormicki 6,000-15,000 Total population is estimated to be 10,000-19,999 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Catharacta.White-fronted ternSterna striata6,120-25,120 Dolphin gull Leucophaeus scoresbii 6,700-19,000 Total population is estimated to be 10,000-28,000 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International place species in genus Larus.Forbes's ploverCharadrius forbesi6,700-33,300 ?Total population is estimated to be 10,000-50,000 individuals. Piping plover Charadrius melodus 7,600-8,400 Total population is estimated to be 11,500-12,500 individuals. Sooty oystercatcherHaematopus fuliginosus7,700Total population is estimated to be 11,500 individuals.Black-fronted dotterelCharadrius melanops7,800-17,800?Total population is estimated to be 11,700-26,700 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International place this species in genus Elseyornis. Craveri's murrelet Synthliboramphus craveri 8,000 Total population is estimated to be 12,000 individuals.Double-banded ploverAnarhynchus bicinctus8,000-14,000Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 13,000. Total population is estimated to be 13,000 - 20,000 individuals. IUCN/BirdLife International places this species in genus Charadrius.South American painted-snipeNycticryphes semicollaris8,000-100,000Best estimate for number of mature individuals is 10,000-50,000.Giant snipeGallinago undulata8,500Total population is estimated to be 12,700 individuals. Black-faced sheathbill Chionis minor 8,700-13,000 Total population is estimated to be 13,000-20,000 individuals. Inland dotterelPeltohyas australis9,300Total population is estimated to be 14,000 individuals.Black-winged lapwingVanellus melanopterus9,300-42,000?Total population is estimated to be 14,000-63,000 individuals. Moluccan woodcockScolopax rochussenii 9,530-19,059 Olrog's gull Larus atlanticus 9,800-15,600 Bristle-thighed curlewNumenius tahitiensis 10,000 Bush thick-knee