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;Charadrius wilsonia | ;Charadrius wilsonia | ||
| − | [[Image:Wilsons_Plover.jpg|thumb| | + | |
| + | [[Image:Wilsons_Plover.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by NIGHTJAR 1<br />Photo taken: New providence, Bahamas.]] | ||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | This bird was named after the Scottish-American ornithologist Alexander Wilson. | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | This is a small plover at 17-20cm. The adult's upper parts are mainly dark grey, with a short white wing bar and white tail sides. The underparts are white except for a breast band, and the legs are pink, brighter when breeding. The dark bill is large and heavy for a plover of this size. The call is a high weak whistle. | |
| − | The | + | The breeding male has a black breast band, lores and forecrown, and a rufous mask. Females and non-breeding males have a similar plumage, but the black of the breeding male is replaced by brown or rufous. Non-breeders have a greyer tint to the head and breast band. |
| + | Immature birds are similar to the female, but the breast band is often incomplete. | ||
| + | ==Distribution & Taxonomy== | ||
Wilson's Plover is a coastal wader which breeds on both coasts of the Americas from the equator northwards. Its range extends north to include much of the U.S. eastern coast, and the west coast of Mexico in the west. | Wilson's Plover is a coastal wader which breeds on both coasts of the Americas from the equator northwards. Its range extends north to include much of the U.S. eastern coast, and the west coast of Mexico in the west. | ||
It is a partial migrant. Birds leave the United States, except Florida winter south to Brazil. Some Mexican birds leave in winter to reach Peru. | It is a partial migrant. Birds leave the United States, except Florida winter south to Brazil. Some Mexican birds leave in winter to reach Peru. | ||
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This strictly coastal plover nests on a bare scrape on sandy beaches or sandbars. | This strictly coastal plover nests on a bare scrape on sandy beaches or sandbars. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Wilson's Plovers forage for food on beaches, usually by sight, moving slowly across the beach. They have a liking for crabs, but will also eat insects and marine worms. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | + | {{GSearch|Charadrius+wilsonia}} | |
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 19 May 2007
- Charadrius wilsonia
Description
This bird was named after the Scottish-American ornithologist Alexander Wilson.
Identification
This is a small plover at 17-20cm. The adult's upper parts are mainly dark grey, with a short white wing bar and white tail sides. The underparts are white except for a breast band, and the legs are pink, brighter when breeding. The dark bill is large and heavy for a plover of this size. The call is a high weak whistle.
The breeding male has a black breast band, lores and forecrown, and a rufous mask. Females and non-breeding males have a similar plumage, but the black of the breeding male is replaced by brown or rufous. Non-breeders have a greyer tint to the head and breast band.
Immature birds are similar to the female, but the breast band is often incomplete.
Distribution & Taxonomy
Wilson's Plover is a coastal wader which breeds on both coasts of the Americas from the equator northwards. Its range extends north to include much of the U.S. eastern coast, and the west coast of Mexico in the west.
It is a partial migrant. Birds leave the United States, except Florida winter south to Brazil. Some Mexican birds leave in winter to reach Peru. This strictly coastal plover nests on a bare scrape on sandy beaches or sandbars.
Behaviour
Wilson's Plovers forage for food on beaches, usually by sight, moving slowly across the beach. They have a liking for crabs, but will also eat insects and marine worms.
