- Aquatic Insects: Insects of various orders that live on or near water bodies, such as water beetles, aquatic flies, midges, and more.
- Small Fish: Fish that inhabit shallow water areas and are suitable prey for certain wading birds, including minnows, sticklebacks, and similar small species.
- Crustaceans: These include shrimp, crabs, krill, and other crustaceans found in shallow waters, which form an important part of the diet for some wading birds.
- Molluscs: Snails, mussels, and other molluscs are consumed by some wading birds that have specialised beaks for extracting the soft bodies from their shells.
- Amphibians: Small frogs, toads, and salamanders that inhabit areas around bodies of water may also be preyed upon by wading birds.
- Aquatic Plants: Some wading birds, such as some species of ibis and spoonbills, may feed on aquatic vegetation and seeds found in shallow waters.
- Small Aquatic Reptiles: Water snakes, small lizards, and even baby turtles may be hunted and consumed by certain wading bird species.
- Scavenging: Some wading birds, especially vultures and certain types of herons, are opportunistic feeders that may consume carrion if it is readily available.