Charadriids (birds belonging to the Charadriidae family) are chunky, small to medium-sized shorebirds with short to medium-length legs, and a bill that is usually shorter than the head. Rarely colorful, most are black-and-white with shades of gray and brown, though many are boldly patterned with either dark rings around the neck and strong facial markings or boldly marked black and white wings. Many lapwings have colorful wattles on the head and spurs on the wings. The spurs are used as weapons in territorial disputes and in nest defense. The hind toe is absent or greatly reduced in all species.

Charadriids are primarily birds of open areas and are found along shorelines of water bodies and flooded areas or on moors or tundra. Open grasslands are often favored. Many species take advantage of human-altered habitats such as agricultural lands and sewage ponds. While strong and graceful fliers, they are most often seen rapidly running. They are active both during the day and night. Most are quite vocal and their vocalizations have often given rise to local names. Most forage by rapidly running, then suddenly stopping, looking, and pecking at prey. Foot trembling or patting of the substrate, presumably to reveal potential prey, is seen in many species. Most Charadriids lay their eggs in scrapes on the ground. 23 species of Charadriidae are found in India:

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) - widespread winter visitor & resident
Caspian Plover (Charadrius asiaticus) - vagrant
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) - widespread winter visitor & resident
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) - vagrant
Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii) - widespread winter visitor
Mongolian Plover (Charadrius mongolus) - widespread winter visitor/s
Long-billed Plover (Charadrius placidus) - sparse winter visitor
Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus) - vagrant
Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) - vagrant
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) - widespread winter visitor
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) - widespread common resident
Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) - local resident
Eurasian Golden-Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) - vagrant
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) - widespread winter visitor
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) - widespread winter visitor
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) - widespread winter visitor & local resident
Grey-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus) - widespread winter visitor
River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) - widespread resident
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) - sparse winter visitor
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) - widespread common resident
White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus) - widespread winter visitor
Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) - widespread resident
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - widespread winter visitor