Piping Plover Bird Facts (Charadrius melodus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Piping Plover is a small shorebird with pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and a white rump. It has a short, stout orange bill with a black tip and bright orange legs. During the breeding season, adults display a distinctive black band across the forehead and a black breast band.

Non-breeding adults and juveniles have a less pronounced breast band and may lack the black forehead marking. The plumage becomes slightly duller in winter, but the overall appearance remains similar year-round.

Size

Length

17cm to 18cm

Wingspan

35cm to 39cm

Weight

43g to 63g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Orange Black

Leg Colour

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Piping Plover can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Piping Plover can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Piping Plover is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Piping Plovers inhabit sandy beaches, alkali flats, and gravel shorelines along the Atlantic coast, Great Lakes, and northern Great Plains of North America. During the breeding season, they are found in the northern United States and southern Canada.

In winter, these birds migrate to the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Caribbean. They are present in the eastern United States coastal areas during breeding and non-breeding seasons.

Elevation Range

Sea level

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Piping Plover. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Barbados Canada Dominican Republic Puerto Rico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Saint Pierre and Miquelon United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bermuda British Virgin Islands Cuba Guadeloupe Haiti Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Saint Kitts and Nevis The Bahamas Turks and Caicos US Virgin Islands

Species that pass through the area during migration

Martinique

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Ecuador Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Venezuela

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Piping Plover demonstrates high agility with its quick, stop-and-go running pattern and ability to navigate sandy beaches and tidal flats swiftly. Their rapid movements and adept foraging behaviour indicate excellent manoeuvrability.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small shorebird weighing between 43-63 grams, the Piping Plover has limited strength. However, they possess enough power to dig for prey and perform short flights, which prevents an extremely low rating.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Piping Plovers show good adaptability by inhabiting various coastal environments, from sandy beaches to gravel shorelines. Their ability to migrate long distances and adjust their diet seasonally also demonstrates adaptability, though habitat specialisation limits a higher score.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, Piping Plovers display moderate aggression in defending their nests and young. Their 'broken-wing' display to lure predators away shows a form of defensive aggression, but they're not known for attacking larger animals or humans.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Piping Plovers exhibit good endurance through their long-distance migrations between breeding and wintering grounds. Their ability to forage actively and care for young in challenging coastal environments also indicates solid stamina, though their small size limits extreme endurance feats.

Diet

Piping Plovers primarily feed on marine worms, small crustaceans, and insects. They forage visually, running short distances and pecking at prey items on the sand or in shallow water.

Their diet may vary seasonally, with more insects consumed during the breeding season.

Behaviour

Piping Plovers are known for their distinctive 'piping' call and rapid running behavior along shorelines. They often employ a 'broken-wing' display to lure predators away from nests or chicks.

These birds are typically seen foraging in small groups or pairs, probing the sand for invertebrates with their bills.

Vocalisation

The Piping Plover's name comes from its melodious, flute-like call. Their most common vocalization is a clear, whistled 'peep-lo' or 'peep-peep-lo'.

During courtship or when alarmed, they may produce a rapid series of 'pip-pip-pip' notes. These calls are often heard before the bird is seen.

Nesting & Breeding

Piping Plovers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from April to August. Males perform elaborate aerial displays and create several scrapes in the sand, from which the female selects a nesting site.

The nest is a shallow depression in the sand, often lined with small pebbles or shell fragments. Females usually lay a clutch of four eggs, which are buff-colored and speckled with dark markings, providing excellent camouflage.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within hours of hatching. They fledge after 21-35 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened ^[1]

Piping Plovers face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss and human disturbance. Beach development, recreational activities, and climate change-induced sea-level rise threaten their nesting grounds.

Intensive conservation efforts, including habitat protection and public education, are ongoing to support population recovery.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

8,400 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Belted Piping Plover

Family:

Charadriidae

Average Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Max Lifespan

14 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include gulls, crows, raccoons, foxes, and feral cats. Ghost crabs and raptors also pose threats to eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

Piping Plovers can swim short distances, despite not being considered swimming birds.
Their eggs are so well-camouflaged that they're nearly invisible on the beach.
Some Piping Plovers can live up to 14 years in the wild.

References

1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Charadrius melodus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22693811A182083944.
View source
2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source
4
journalArticle, 1982: Clapp et al., Longevity records of North American birds: Gaviidae through Alcidae, J Field Ornithol, 53:81-124