Kentish Plover
NameKentish Plover
Common NameKentish Plover
Scientific NameCharadrius alexandrinus
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)43.5
Length (cm)16
Weight (g)42.5
Plumage DetailsPale sandy-brown upperparts, white underparts, and a white forehead. It has a distinctive black stripe running from the bill through the eye, and an incomplete black breast band, often appearing as dark patches on the sides of the breast. Breeding males exhibit a rufous (orange-brown) crown and nape.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a soft, rolling 'prrrp' or a short, sharp 'pip' call, often given in flight or when alarmed.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across coastal and inland saline wetlands of Eurasia and Africa, with some populations migrating between breeding and wintering grounds.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Pale sandy plumage, Incomplete black breast band (side patches), Black stripe through eye, Rufous crown (breeding males), Black bill and legs
Description
The Kentish Plover is a small, pale shorebird typically found on sandy beaches and mudflats. It forages by running and pausing, picking small invertebrates from the surface or just below.
