Lesson 7: Plovers Flashcards
Get to know and confidently ID North America's five banded plovers (Killdeer, Wilson's, Semipalmated, Piping, and Snowy plovers) and three unbanded plovers (Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-plover, and Pacific Golden-plover).
The plovers can be roughly divided into two (unofficial) groups. What are they?
- Banded plovers: Those with a dark band across their chests and (sometimes) heads like Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover & Piping Plover
- Unbanded plovers: Those without a dark band across their chests like Black-bellied Plover & American Golden-plover
Describe the overall shape characteristics of the plovers.
Try to list 5 features
- Large head when compared to the small body
- Large eyes
- Short, pigeon-like bill
- Medium-to-short legs
- Overall round shape
They also come in a wide range of sizes. The Snowy Plover is the smallest species of plover in North America—just a little larger than a Least Sandpiper—while the Black-bellied Plover is the largest, just a bit bigger than a Killdeer.
Which FIVE species make up the group of banded plovers?
Try to list them in decreasing order of size!
- Killdeer
- Wilson’s Plover
- Semipalmated Plover
- Piping Plover
- Snowy Plover
You could further divide these plovers into those with dark and light upperparts.
* Dark upperparts the color of wet beach sand: Killdeer, Wilson’s Plover, and Semipalmated Plover
* Light upperparts the color of dry beach sand: Piping Plover and Snowy Plover
Describe the typical foraging behavior of the plovers.
Stand still, run, and pick
They stand still, scanning the habitat for food. Spotting something, they then run over to it, pick at the ground, stand upright and then freeze again, scanning for the next morsel.
What bird is this?
Killdeer
The best-known and most widespread plover in North America, easily recognized by its bright red eye ring and two dark chest bands. No other shorebird in North America has these markings.
Killdeer are also very vocal, calling out a rapid series of “kill-deer, kill-deer, kill-deer” notes, both in flight and while at rest, hence their name.
Semipalmated Plover
Breeding plumage
A small shorebird with a single complete black chest band, black forehead, and a dark mask. In the breeding season, the very short bill develops a yellow base that can look orange in certain light (the same for the legs).
You might confuse a Semipalmated Plover with a Killdeer but Killdeer are much larger and have TWO chest bands, not one.
Furthermore, the Semipalmated Plover’s dark mask in breeding plumage and bright yellow-orange legs (in both breeding and non-breeding plumage) will help you distinguish them from the similar looking Piping and Snowy Plovers.
Wilson’s Plover
Breeding plumage
A small shorebird with a single chest band, a dark stripe on forehead, and a noticeably longer and more robustly-built, all-dark bill. In fact, the bill alone can help you tell it apart from all the other small, banded plovers.
With its larger bill, slightly longer legs, and more flattened profile (not quite visible here), the Wilson’s Plover has a distinctive silhouette that can help in its ID.
Piping Plover
Breeding plumage
One of two banded plovers with a pale back the color of dry beach sand. The other banded plovers—Semipalmated and Wilson’s Plovers—have darker upperparts that are more the color of wet sand.
Note the dark chest band that extends completely around the back of the neck. Piping Plover also have the smallest bill of all the banded plovers. In the breeding season, it turns a bright yellow-orange at the base and dark at the tip. The legs are yellow-orange.
Snowy Plover
Breeding plumage
The smallest plover species in North America and one of two banded plovers with a pale tan back, the other being the Piping Plover.
Note the prominent black markings on the forehead, cheek, and sides of the neck. Importantly, the chest band is broken in the front and does not extend around the back of the neck like it does with the Piper Plover.
Also, Snowy Plover have dull legs, not bright orange-yellow, and an all-black bill year-round.
What are a Killdeer’s FOUR hallmark traits?
These will help you tell it apart from any other plover species.
- Two bands across the chest
- Red eye-ring
- Chestnut rump and upper tail coverts in flight
- Very vocal with its iconic “Kill-deer” call
No other plover in North America has red eyes, a chestnut rump, or two chest bands.
The chestnut rump and upper tail coverts, which are very visible in flight, can help you confidently identify a Killdeer, even when it is flying by rather fast.
What physical trait (relating to its feet) does a Semipalmated Plover have that no other plover has?
Clue: it’s in its name!
It has shallow webbing between its toes!
‘Semipalmated’ means “partially webbed”. A few other shorebirds share this trait, like the Western Sandpiper and, you guessed it, Semipalmated Sandpiper.
This trait can be a useful ID clue provided you can get a close enough view to see it.
What is the preferred habitat of Snowy Plover?
- Sandy ocean beaches
- Salt flats
- Inland alkaline lakes
- Sandbars in rivers
Found on the Gulf and Pacific coasts, as well as southward into the Caribbean and Pacific South America.
What is special about the habitat of the Wilson’s Plover?
They are found exclusively in saltwater habitats like ocean beaches and saltwater lagoons.
Whereas other plovers like Killdeer and Semipalmated Plover can be found in freshwater, saltwater, and/or grassy environments.
Where does the Piping Plover get its name from?
The sound of their call, a clear, whistled “peep-peep” or piping.
What bird is this?
Semipalmated Plover
Non-breeding plumage
In winter, Semipalmated Plover look like washed-out versions of their breeding selves with their distinctive black markings fading to the same color as their backs or just a little bit darker. They also lose the yellow base to the bill.
Still though, they are easily recognizable and when you take into account their single chest band, size, and facial markings (still visible even when faded), you will easily separate them from similar-looking plover species.
What bird is this?
Killdeer
Note the two dark bands across the chest, the dark band across the forehead, and bright red eye-ring. This is unmistakably a Killdeer!
These plovers occupy a diverse range of habitats from mudflats, wetlands, and beaches to agricultural fields and parking lots.
Snowy Plover
Non-breeding plumage
During the non-breeding season, a Snowy Plover’s black facial and neck markings fade to the same light tan color as its back. At this time, the color of the legs (dull, not orange) and the longer, thinner bill become important for telling it apart from the similar-looking Piping Plover.
Wilson’s Plover
Non-breeding plumage
In the winter, Wilson’s Plover lose their bold summertime markings, appearing duller and more washed out. Note their dull pinkish-gray legs (not yellow, as is the case with the Semipalmated Plover) and all-black, robustly-built bill with no yellow or orange.
Once you have tuned your eye in to the size and shape of that bill, you will be unlikely to confuse it with any other plover (or shorebird) species again!
Piping Plover
Non-breeding plumage
In the non-breeding season, like the other banded plovers, Piping Plover lose their dark markings. Their chest band fades to the same color as their back, while their forehead band disappears entirely. Their bill, which was a bright orange-yellow in the breeding season, becomes all black.
Piping plover’s diminuitive bill and orange legs will help you tell it apart from similar-looking Snowy Plover, while its lighter upperparts separate it from the Semipalmated Plover.
How can habitat provide a helpful clue in the identification of Wilson’s Plover?
They are found exclusively in saltwater habitats, so if you are birding on freshwater wetlands within their range, you can immediately rule them out.
Which THREE plover species could you possibly confuse with a Semipalmated Plover?
Try to list a few features to tell them apart!
- Wilson’s Plover: Larger overall with dark legs and a longer bill
- Snowy Plover: Incomplete chestband, paler overall, and dull legs (not yellow-orange)
- Piping Plover: Paler overall, lacks dark markings on the cheek
Also Killdeer but they are much larger and have TWO chestbands, not one.
In what THREE ways does a Piping Plover’s non-breeding plumage differ from its breeding plumage?
- Chest band fades to the same color as its back
- Forehead band disappears entirely
- Orange-yellow bill becomes all black
Wilson’s Plover
Non-breeding plumage
Note the large, all-black bill, the more medium-length legs (compared with Semipalmated Plover), and the flattened profile. Even outside of its bolder breeding plumage, the shape and overall appearance of a Wilson’s Plover set it well apart from similar looking species.
What bird is this?
Killdeer
Because Killdeer are so common and widespread across North America, they are considered useful yardsticks for measuring the size of other shorebirds. Chances are you have seen a Killdeer, even if you are new to birding, or have at least heard them. In fact, they are so vocal they’ve been named after their “kill-deer, kill-deer, kill-deer” call.
Killdeer don’t change very much between the breeding and non-breeding seasons, making them easy to identify all year round.
Semipalmated Plover
Non-breeding plumage
Note the short webbing between the toes!
Like Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover aren’t picky about the habitats they hang out in. You can find them foraging on mudflats and beaches and in both fresh and saltwater environments.
Look for their typical plover foraging behavior of running, stopping, picking at the surface of the substrate, standing still, running to the next morsel, picking, stopping, standing still, etc.
Piping Plover
Breeding plumage
In flight, Piping Plover show bold white wing stripes and a pale rump and tail with dark band on the outer tail feathers. This is important because it distinguishes the Piping Plover from the very similar-looking Snowy Plover, whose rump and central tail feathers are the same pale, sandy color as its back.
Also note the orange bill (not all-black, as is the case with Snowy Plover) and lack of any other facial markings, with the exception of a thin band across the forehead.
Snowy Plover
Breeding plumage
The triplet of black markings on the neck and face of this overall pale plover are diagnostic of the Snowy Plover. Also note the lack of color (yellow-orange) in the legs and bill, as well as the longer, thinner bill.
What birds are these?
Black-bellied Plovers
Breeding plumage
These are the largest species of plover in North America and are easily distinguished (when in breeding plumage) from the similar-looking American and Pacific Golden-plover by having pure white under the tail and not black or mottled black, respectively.
They also have longer, thicker bills and, if you look really closely at the back of their feet, you’ll notice a tiny hind toe. Black-bellied Plover are the only shorebirds in North America with a hind toe!
American Golden-plover
Breeding plumage
About the size of a Killdeer, American Golden-plover are smaller than Black-bellied Plover with a shorter, thinner bill. In breeding season, the two are relatively easy to tell apart.
The black extends all the way from the face to the undertail coverts, while Black-bellied Plover have white under the tail. Also, the back is mottled with black, white, and gold, whereas Black-bellied Plover are much more gray.
Finally, note the white line that extends from the head, down the neck, and to the shoulder. This will become important when trying to tell American Golden-plover apart from Pacific Golden-plover!
Pacific Golden-plover
Breeding plumage
A killdeer-sized plover with a rich, golden-black-and-white speckled back (hence the name). The black of the face, neck, and belly extends all the way to the undertail coverts, where it becomes mottled with white. (As opposed to American Golden-plover, which is solid black under the tail and Black-bellied Plover, which is solid white.)
The white stripe extends from the eyebrow, down the neck, and all the way along the wing to the tail, but becomes broken and patchy towards the tail. (As opposed to American Golden-plover, whose white line terminates at the shoulder.)
Mountain Plover
Breeding plumage
The smallest of the unbanded plovers (smaller than a Killdeer), Mountain Plover have unmarked and unspeckled sandy brown upperparts with white undersides and face.
In the breeding season, they develop a black bar across the forehead and a black line that connects the bill to the eye. It has a contrasting white eye line. It is the only unbanded plover without any markings on its body, making it rather easy to identify!
What bird is this?
Black-bellied Plover
Non-breeding plumage
In flight and in both seasons, Black-bellied Plover have black armpits or auxiliary feathers, as they are more correctly termed. This is a diagnostic feature! Also look for the white rump and tail with light gray outer tail feathers. The similar-looking American and Pacific Golden-plovers have dark rumps.
Finally, note the large bill for a plover!
American Golden-plover
Non-breeding plumage
In non-breeding plumage, the large unbanded plovers can become extremely hard to tell apart but there are many clues to be gleaned that can steer you towards an accurate ID. The American Golden-plover:
- Looks more brown-gold in color (not gray)
- Has the most petite bill of all
- Wears a darker cap, which contrasts with a distinct eyebrow stripe
- Has a faint dark ear spot
- Lacks black auxiliary feathers under the arms
- Has a dark rump (not white)
- Has long wings that, when folded, project well past the tail (this is a distinctive trait)
- Is more widespread in North America than Pacific Golden-plover
Mountain Plover
Non-breeding plumage
The non-breeding Mountain Plover looks pretty similar to its breeding self, although it loses the black facial markings, leaving this already rather plain bird totally unremarkable looking. But it is this very thing that sets the Mountain Plover apart from its brethren!
Also, importantly, pay attention to the habitat. Mountain Plover are rarely found near water, preferring instead open and flat drylands with low, sparse vegetation.
Pacific Golden-plover
Non-breeding plumage
The intensely golden-brown plumage of this non-breeding plover immediately tells us that it is either a Pacific or an American Golden-plover. The heftier bill size and shorter wings that do not extend much past the tail indicates Pacific Golden-plover.
These are not obvious traits to work with so make sure you also consider habitat and range! The Pacific Golden-plover has quite a limited range in North America, which can prove enormously helpful in either identifying it or ruling it out as an option.
What unique feature belonging to the Black-bellied Plover can help you tell it apart from all other shorebirds in North America?
A tiny hind toe
Black-bellied Plover are the only shorebirds in North America with this toe on the back of their feet, making it a diagnostic feature. That’s IF you are able to get a close-enough look at it. (It really is tiny.)
What bird is this?
Black-bellied Plover
Transitional plumage
This Black-bellied Plover is transitioning between breeding and non-breeding plumage but the white patch under the tail and black, white, and gray (rather than black, white, and gold) plumage on the back help us reach an ID. Also note the bill size and length: the similar-looking American and Pacific Golden-plover have shorter, slimmer bills.
Pacific Golden-plover
Breeding plumage
The biggest clue that this is a Pacific Golden-plover is its mottled black-and-white undertail coverts. American-Golden-plover have totally black undertail coverts, while Black-bellied Plover are totally white.
American Golden-plover
Non-breeding plumage
Note gold (not gray) plumage and dark cap. American Golden-plover also differ from other plovers in that they prefer more grassy habitats like tilled farmlands, prairies, golf courses, and airports, although they are also found in the usual mudflats, shorelines, and beaches.
Mountain Plover
Breeding plumage
Note the uniform (unmarked) brown upperparts, white face, and thin dark line between the eyes.
Mountain Plover spend their summers in the Great Plains and not in the mountains as their name suggests. They then winter in the plains, fields, and sandy deserts from California, through Mexico, to Texas.
List the large, unbanded plovers in order of increasing bill size
From smallest to largest
- American Golden-plover
- Pacific Golden-plover
- Black-bellied Plover
The American Golden-plover (left) has the smallest, slimmest bill of the large, unbanded plovers and the Black-bellied Plover (right), the largest with the Pacific Golden-plover falling somewhere between.
What about these plovers’ overall size? That tells a slightly different story! The Pacific Golden-plover is the smallest of the large, unbanded plovers and the Black-bellied Plover, the largest.
