Population data for migratory waders (Aves: Charadrii) during the middle of the nonbreeding season at 31 coastal wetlands in the western Palearctic and Ethiopian regions were analyzed to examine the relationships between bird density and energy intake, intertidal foraging area, and latitude. Wader density is closely linked to population energy intake at individual sites during the nonbreeding season and increases from northern to southern latitudes independently of wetland size.