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'''Alternative name: Black-bellied Plover''' | '''Alternative name: Black-bellied Plover''' | ||
− | [[Image:Grey_Plover.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|mw_aurora|mw_aurora}}<br /> | + | [[Image:Grey_Plover.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Winter plumaged bird<br />Photo by {{user|mw_aurora|mw_aurora}}<br /> Sanibel Island, [[Florida]], [[USA]]]] |
;[[:Category:Pluvialis|Pluvialis]] squatarola | ;[[:Category:Pluvialis|Pluvialis]] squatarola | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
− | A large ''pluvialis'' plover with | + | A large, compact ''pluvialis'' plover with totally white undertail coverts. Shows black axillaries ("armpits") in all plumages. Has a tiny hind toe which the other ''Pluvialis'' plovers lack. |
+ | |||
+ | In '''breeding''' plumage has upperside grey metallic colored back with white spots and front black from eyes down post legs; the black area is adjacent to a broad white area from fore-crown to upper breast, but the black area disappears behind the wings by the lower breast. | ||
− | In ''' | + | In '''winter''' plumage shows streaking on breast and strongly patterned upperside, which is rather coldly colored. The supercilium is quite prominent. |
− | '''Juvenile''' has streaked breast and pale cap. | + | '''Juvenile''' has streaked breast and pale cap, and can show quite strongly golden colors. |
− | In '''flight''' white tail and bold white wingstripe are evident. | + | In '''flight''', white tail and bold white wingstripe are evident. |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
Other [[:Pluvialis|Golden-Plovers]] are slightly smaller with smaller head, thinner bill, and have dark tail and no bold wingstripe. | Other [[:Pluvialis|Golden-Plovers]] are slightly smaller with smaller head, thinner bill, and have dark tail and no bold wingstripe. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Breeds between 65°N and 75°N in the Arctic Tundra (north-eastern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]] and northern [[Canada]]). The non-breeding range includes almost all coastlines between 55°N and 40°S. | Breeds between 65°N and 75°N in the Arctic Tundra (north-eastern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]] and northern [[Canada]]). The non-breeding range includes almost all coastlines between 55°N and 40°S. | ||
+ | [[Image:Black-bellied_Plover_by_blubird.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Breeding plumaged bird<br />Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br /> Ft. De Soto Park, [[Florida]], [[USA]], April 2009]] | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Monotypic. | Monotypic. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
+ | Breeds in tundra without trees, winters on muddy and sandy areas almost exclusively along coasts. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
+ | All ''Pluvialis'' plovers have a habit of lifting their wings straight up without actually flying off, which helps a lot with seeing the color of the axillaries. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
<flashmp3>Pluvialis squatarola (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Pluvialis squatarola (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> |
Revision as of 00:22, 16 September 2009
Alternative name: Black-bellied Plover
- Pluvialis squatarola
Identification
A large, compact pluvialis plover with totally white undertail coverts. Shows black axillaries ("armpits") in all plumages. Has a tiny hind toe which the other Pluvialis plovers lack.
In breeding plumage has upperside grey metallic colored back with white spots and front black from eyes down post legs; the black area is adjacent to a broad white area from fore-crown to upper breast, but the black area disappears behind the wings by the lower breast.
In winter plumage shows streaking on breast and strongly patterned upperside, which is rather coldly colored. The supercilium is quite prominent.
Juvenile has streaked breast and pale cap, and can show quite strongly golden colors.
In flight, white tail and bold white wingstripe are evident.
Similar Species
Other Golden-Plovers are slightly smaller with smaller head, thinner bill, and have dark tail and no bold wingstripe.
Distribution
Breeds between 65°N and 75°N in the Arctic Tundra (north-eastern Europe, northern Asia and northern Canada). The non-breeding range includes almost all coastlines between 55°N and 40°S.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Breeds in tundra without trees, winters on muddy and sandy areas almost exclusively along coasts.
Behaviour
All Pluvialis plovers have a habit of lifting their wings straight up without actually flying off, which helps a lot with seeing the color of the axillaries.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Pluvialis squatarola (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program