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Semipalmated Plover Identification

Semipalmated Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small shorebird with a round head and a stubby bill. Breeding birds have orange at the base of the bill and a black crown, eye patch, and breast band. Note yellow legs.

© Ross Gallardy | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, June 11, 2016
Semipalmated Plover Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Small shorebird with a round head and a stubby bill. Nonbreeding birds have a brown (instead of black) crown, breast band, and eyepatch.

© Daniel Jauvin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, October 01, 2016
Semipalmated Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Plump shorebird with a short neck and round head. Note single dark band on chest and fairly small, orange-and-black bill.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 25, 2013
Semipalmated Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

In flight, note brown tail with a darker tip (a common pattern among plovers) and long wings.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 24, 2016
Semipalmated Plover Juvenile
Juvenile

Juveniles look like adults but have paler collar and facial markings.

© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, August 27, 2014
Semipalmated Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small shorebird with a round head and a stubby bill. Note that the breast band goes all the way around the breast.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 01, 2015
Semipalmated Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Walks or runs with its head up. Stops and tilts forward to pick invertebrates from the ground. Note yellow legs and solid black breast band.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 10, 2016
Semipalmated Plover Habitat
Habitat

Found on mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, ponds, lakeshores, agricultural ponds, and beaches during migration and the winter months.

© Brooke Miller | Macaulay LibraryTexas, February 21, 2017
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Adult Description

  • Small shorebird.
  • Legs moderately long.
  • Neck short.
  • Back brown.
  • Underparts white with one thick black or brown band on chest.
  • Legs yellowish.

Immature Description

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

Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 6.7-7.5 in (17-19 cm)
    • Weight: 1.7 oz (47 g)

Species in This Family

Plovers and Lapwings(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Charadriidae)

Black-bellied PloverBlack-bellied Plover
American Golden-PloverAmerican Golden-Plover
Pacific Golden-PloverPacific Golden-Plover
Snowy PloverSnowy Plover
Wilson's PloverWilson's Plover
Semipalmated PloverSemipalmated Plover
Piping PloverPiping Plover
KilldeerKilldeer
Mountain PloverMountain Plover

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