European Golden Plover

Photo by Digiscoper321
Photo taken: West Sweden

;Pluvialis apricaria

Identification

10.5". Breeding adult is stocky with golden back and cap; black face and belly with white supercilium which goes down neck along flanks; white undertail coverts.
Nonbreeding adult has buffy supercilium, buffy unmarked throat, and golden spotted breastband.
Juvenile has well-defined breast barring.
All plumages have short bill, bright golden coloured back, and white underwing coverts.
Overall much more golden coloured than other Golden-Plovers.

Similar Species

American Golden Plover in all plumages have longer bill, longer primary projection, darker golden coloured back, white contrasting supercilium, and grey underwing; in breeding plumage has totally black undertail coverts and belly; in nonbreeding and juvenile plumages has grey weakly barred belly and grey back with dark golden spots.
Pacific Golden Plover in all plumages have longer bill, darker golden coloured back, white contrasting supercilium, slightly longer legs, and grey underwing; in breeding plumage has white on flanks with black barring; nonbreeding plumage has greyish not as defined breast markings, whitish supercilium; juvenile has yellowish wash to face, barred yellowish breast and belly markings.
Grey Plover is slightly larger with white undertail, black and white spotted back, and white tail and rump.

Distribution

Northern Europe and western Asia.

Taxonomy

There are 2 subspecies.

Habitat

Moors and tundra.

Behaviour

The diet includes insects, crustaceans, and berries.

Vocalisation

<flashmp3>Pluvialis apricaria (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

References

Wikipedia

External Links

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