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
