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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 W 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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