Snowy Plover Identification

Breeding adult

Small shorebird with a horizontal posture and a short neck. Breeding adults have a black crown stripe, a dark ear patch, and a black patch on the side of the neck. Pale sandy gray above and white below. Bill is black in all seasons.

Nonbreeding/immature

Nonbreeding birds lack the dark crown stripe and have a paler neck stripe. Sandy gray above and white below with a black bill and gray legs.

Nonbreeding adult

Rests and forages on the higher parts of the beach with loose sand. Often hunkers down in depressions in the sand to rest.

Nonbreeding/immature

Small shorebird with a horizontal posture and a short, black bill. The facial marks on nonbreeding birds are paler. Note gray legs.

Breeding adult

Some breeding birds show a darker ear patch in addition to the black crown and neck stripe. The bill is dark in all seasons.

Juvenile

Breeding adult

Breeds on sparsely vegetated sandy beaches and lake shores.

Habitat