Wader Ageing and Sexing series

In 2007 the IWSG began publishing papers providing species specific guidelines for the ageing and sexing of shorebirds. The aim is to build this into a comprehensive series of papers enabling ageing and sexing of waders in the hand. More information can be found here (pdf). The series editor, Wlodek Meissner, is keen to hear from any researchers and ringers with experience of wader not listed below who might be interested to write future papers. IWSG can offer help with paper writing if requested. Please email Wlodek with any questions

The following papers have been published to date. Papers are only available to logged in online users with current membership status. If you have not yet registered for an online account, click here. If you would like to subscribe to IWSG, and gain access to these and other online resources, click here.

Purple Sandpiper, Calidris maritima	Member access only
This paper is based on the authors' experience from Iceland.
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola	Member access only
This paper is based on the authors' experience of European specimens.
Dunlin, Calidris alpina	Member access only
This paper is based on the authors' experience and published sources about Dunlins from subspecies shinzii, alpina and probably also centralis; however at least some of the ageing methods presented may be applied to other subspecies, especially those based on presence of juvenile feathers in first winter or in the second breeding plumage.
Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius	Member access only
Data presented here concern the curonicus subspecies of the Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius and are based mainly on information from Central Europe and Africa gathered during the breeding, migration and wintering periods.
Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago	Member access only
Based on field studies throughout the year in central and W Europe, we present all known ageing and sexing criteria for the nominate subspecies of the Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago gallinago.
Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia	Member access only
The data presented here concern Greenshank from Europe and Africa throughout the annual cycle. Thus these descriptions should be applied to other populations, especially eastern populations, with caution.

Species in the pipe-line include:
Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover.