Diademed Sandpiper-Plover
NameDiademed Sandpiper-Plover
Common NameDiademed Sandpiper-Plover
Scientific NamePhegornis mitchellii
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)41
Length (cm)18
Weight (g)47.5
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dark greyish-brown, contrasting with a prominent white forehead stripe (the 'diadem') and a black crown and eye-stripe. A broad rufous-chestnut band crosses the lower throat and upper breast, while the underparts are white with fine dark barring on the flanks and belly. It has a black bill and bright orange legs.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a soft, piping 'peep' or 'wit', often given when in flight or when disturbed.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatswetland, grassland, mountain
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound in the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, typically at elevations between 3,500 and 5,000 meters.
Identifying FeaturesWhite forehead stripe (diadem), Black cap and eye-stripe, Rufous-chestnut breast band, Finely barred white underparts, Orange legs, Relatively long, slender black bill
Description
This distinctive high-altitude plover is characterized by its striking head pattern and preference for wet puna grasslands. It typically forages for invertebrates in marshy areas, often seen singly or in pairs.
