Class:
| Wilson's Plover |
|---|
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General description.
The male Wilson's Plover is, obviously, darker and larger than the Snowy Plover. The male is brown above and white below with a distinguishing black eye patch and breast band. The long, stout bill separates this "peep" from other plovers, enabling it to forage a varied diet.Female appearance.
The female Wilson's Plover has similar markings, but her breast band is brown.Breeding habits.
The Wilson's Plover breeds on the mudflats and beaches of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Virginia to Florida and Texas, with rare occurances in New Jersey and Maryland.Calls or song.
They are usually silent, but occasionally emit a tern-like, "Quip".Population and distribution.
The Wilson's Plover pretty much winters where it breeds, along the Gulf Coast and Florida.Nesting habits.
Taking turns incubating, the male feeds during the day so the female can forage at night. They produce 3-4 buff (splotched with black) eggs, which they lay in a depression in the sand or in the dunes.Similar birds:
|
Purple Sandpiper |
|
Semipalmated Plover |
|
Killdeer |
Birds in the same Family:
Wilson's Plover
Common names:
Wilson's Plover
Scientific Name:
Charadrius wilsonia
Tags:
Dark 'eye patch'' and breast band. Thick black bill.
Wilson's Plover Data:
Length: 8 in
ABA Score: 1
Relative size:
Smaller than a Robin