Piping Plover
NamePiping Plover
Common NamePiping Plover
Scientific NameCharadrius melodus
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)44
Length (cm)17
Weight (g)53.5
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are sandy brown, blending well with beach environments, while underparts are pure white. Breeding adults display a single black breast band, a black forehead band connecting the eyes, and a black spot on the crown. The bill is orange with a black tip, and legs are bright orange.
Vocalization / CallA soft, plaintive 'peep-lo' or 'pip-pip-pip' call, often described as a clear, whistled note.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, wetland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeBreeds along the Atlantic coast of North America, the Great Lakes, and the northern Great Plains. Winters along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuressandy brown upperparts, white underparts, single black breast band (breeding), black forehead band (breeding), orange bill with black tip, orange legs, small size
Description
A small, pale shorebird found on sandy beaches and shorelines. It is known for its distinctive black collar and forehead band during breeding season, and its habit of running and stopping to forage for invertebrates.
