Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover, breeding plumage

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Semipalmated Plover, nonbreeding plumage

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A small dark shorebird with a single band across its chest, the Semipalmated Plover is the most common plover seen on migration in most areas.

Description

• Small shorebird.
• Legs moderately long.
• Neck short.
• Back brown.
• Underparts white with one thick black or brown band on chest.
• Legs yellowish.

• Size: 17-19 cm (7-7 in)
• Weight: 47 g (1.66 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but female slightly larger, and with brown feathers in crown, mask, and chestband, and with more distinct white eyestripe.

Sound

A short two-noted whistle, "chu-wee," with second note higher.

Conservation Status

The Semipalmated Plover is among the few plovers whose numbers are apparently increasing, perhaps owing to its versatility in food and habitat choice, its wide-spread coastal winter distribution, or its habitat expansion in the sub-Arctic as a result of disturbance by both humans and arctic geese.

Other Names

Pluvier semipalmé (French)
Chorlito semipalmeado, Cholo semipalmado (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Semipalmated Plover has been seen to swim short distances across small water channels during foraging while on migration. Chicks also swim short distances to follow parents to small islets on shallow lakes

Sources used to construct this page:

Nol, E., and M. S. Blanken. 1999. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). In The Birds of North America, No. 444 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.