Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

A small dark shorebird with a single band across its chest, the Semipalmated Plover is the most common plover seen on migration in most areas.

Interesting Information

The Semipalmated Plover has been seen to swim short distances across small water channels during foraging while on migration. Chicks also swim short distances to follow parents to small islets on shallow lakes.
The Semipalmated Plover is the most common plover seen on migration in most areas.
The term "semipalmated" refers to its partly webbed feet.
A group of plovers has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "congregation", "deceit", "ponderance" and "wing" of plovers.

Description

Adult Description

Small shorebird.
Legs moderately long.
Neck short.
Back brown.
Underparts white with one thick black or brown band on chest.
Legs yellowish.
Length Range: 17-19 cm (6.5-7.5 in)
Weight: 48 g (1.7 oz)
Size: Small (5 - 9 in)
Color Primary: Brown
Underparts: White with dark-brown breast band.
Upperparts: Gray-brown
Back Pattern: Solid
Belly Pattern: Solid
Breast Pattern: No Data

Sex Differences

Female slightly drabber

Immature

Similar to adult, but with duller markings and pale scaling on back.

Photo taken from: The Sibley Field Guide by David Allen Sibley

Habitat

Semipalmated Plover: Breeds on sandy or mossy tundra from Alaska to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Spends winters on mudflats, salt marshes, and lakeshores along coastal California and the Carolinas south.

Behavior

Searches for prey visually. Runs several steps, stops, stares, and then pecks or quickly snatches at prey.

Food

Semipalmated Plover: Eats insects, crustaceans, and mollusks; forages on mudflats or in shallow water, running and scanning for food in short bursts.

Taxonomy

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Charadriidae
Genus:	Charadrius
Species:	Charadrius semipalmatus

Similar Species

Killdeer is larger and has two distinct chest bands.
Wilson's Plover is larger, has dull grayish legs, a long, thick black bill, and a more flat-headed profile.
Snowy Plover has a pale back, dark legs, an incomplete chestband, and a short, thin dark bill.
Piping Plover has a pale back, a thinner, less complete chestband, and lacks dark in the face.

Bird Sound

A short two-noted whistle, "chu-wee," with second note higher.

Eggs look like this

Photo taken from: ARCTOS Collaborative Collection Management Solution

	Sources Used To Construct This Page
	Nol, E., and M. S. Blanken. 1999. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). In The Birds of North America, No. 444 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

	All photos and videos © Rick Swartzentrover - Free for non-profit use.