Alternative name: Black-bellied Plover
- Pluvialis squatarola
Identification
A large, compact pluvialis plover with totally white undertail coverts. Shows black axillaries ("wingpits") in all plumages and a big, strong bill. 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, black wingpits (or Axillaries) and bold white wingstripe are evident.
Similar Species
Golden-Plovers are slightly smaller with smaller head, thinner bill, and have dark tail, no bold wing stripe and no black wingpits.
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.
Photo by HelenB
Matagorda Bay Nature Center, Texas, USA, May 2010
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Subspecies cynosurae and tomkovichi are not recognised by all authorities[2].
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
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Grey Plover. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey_Plover
External Links
