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Mountain Plover

Charadrius montanus ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: CHARADRIIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

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Mountain Plover Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A native of the short-grass prairie, the Mountain Plover is a dull-colored shorebird of open, dry areas. Despite its name, it breeds in the high tablelands, not the mountains.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Shorebirds
Shorebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Medium-sized to large shorebird. Legs moderately long. Neck short. Bill short. Head large and rounded. Back uniform sandy brown. Underside and face white. Underside of wings white. Thin white line shows on top of wing in flight. Tail brown with dark patch near tip. Breeding adult has black forehead and black line connecting eyes to bill.

Immature Description

Similar to nonbreeding adult.

Range Map Help

Mountain Plover Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Similar Species

  • American Golden-Plover is more distinctly marked with spots on back, and lacks dark tail band and white stripe in wings.
  • Killdeer has two dark bands on chest.