Sand plover in Henan, China, July (1 Viewer)

[beijingbabbler]

Hello, I saw this sand plover at a reservoir today in southern Henan. It looked larger and different in shape than the kentish plovers and little ringed plovers nearby, and there was 1-2 (I have photos of what seems to be different individuals, but I'm not sure). Either way, this plover also seems to be in nonbreeding plumage, and I don't have experience with these species but it looks like a greater sand plover, I think it's the most likely. Any input appreciated, thanks!

Photos 1-6 is one bird, photos 7-8 is another (might be the same one)

 

[johnallcock]

Tibetan Sand Plover schaeferi - long, white supercilium, fairly extensive white on forehead, broadly white on the breast, paler nape, ear coverts uniform with crown, white flanks. The bill is slightly heavier than atrifrons/pamirensis, but typical of schaeferi (which is the most likely subspecies of Tibetan here) and not as large as on Greater Sand Plover. Probably a young bird that hasn't bred this year.

 

[beijingbabbler]

Tibetan Sand Plover schaeferi - long, white supercilium, fairly extensive white on forehead, broadly white on the breast, paler nape, ear coverts uniform with crown, white flanks. The bill is slightly heavier than atrifrons/pamirensis, but typical of schaeferi (which is the most likely subspecies of Tibetan here) and not as large as on Greater Sand Plover. Probably a young bird that hasn't bred this year.

Thank you! Are these features to help differentiate tibetan from greater sand plover, or from siberian? Is siberian sand plover ruled out by range? from the birds of the world account of siberian vs. tibetan, the more buffy color and broken brown chest band points towards tibetan, so I agree with your ID

 

[johnallcock]

Thank you! Are these features to help differentiate tibetan from greater sand plover, or from siberian? Is siberian sand plover ruled out by range? from the birds of the world account of siberian vs. tibetan, the more buffy color and broken brown chest band points towards tibetan, so I agree with your ID

I was distinguishing from both Greater and Siberian.
Siberian would usually have more dark on breast band and flanks, different head pattern (in particular, supercilium not as long and well marked), shorter bill and more upright posture. I think they are usually on the coast as well, and rarer inland.

 

[beijingbabbler]

I was distinguishing from both Greater and Siberian.
Siberian would usually have more dark on breast band and flanks, different head pattern (in particular, supercilium not as long and well marked), shorter bill and more upright posture. I think they are usually on the coast as well, and rarer inland.

Understood, thank you for explaining!