Wilson's Plover Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Medium-sized shorebird with a big-headed look, and a long, thick bill. Breeding adults have a black band around the neck. Bill is black in all seasons. Often stands with a hunched horizontal posture.
© Melissa James / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 18, 2015Nonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding birds have a pale brown collar. Note the thick black bill and pale legs.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, September 28, 2016Breeding adult
Superficially like Semipalmated Plover, but with a longer and thicker, almost oversized bill that is all black.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 01, 2014Not all videos have soundNonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding birds have a pale brown collar. Note the thick black bill and pale legs.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, September 28, 2016Breeding adult
In flight tip of tail is black with white edges and wings are long and slender.
© Jesse Amesbury / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 09, 2016Adult
Often gathers in groups during the nonbreeding season. Hunkers down in the sand to rest away from the water's edge.
© Melissa James / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, May 09, 2020Breeding adult
Breeding adults have a black neck band. The long, thick black bill is diagnostic.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 23, 2007Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Plovers and Lapwings(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Charadriidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.