Golden Plover
Least ConcernPluvialis apricaria
Visual Identification
Golden Plover
Appearance
The Golden Plover is a medium-sized shorebird with distinctive gold-speckled upperparts. In breeding plumage, males display a striking black face, neck, and belly, contrasting sharply with white borders.
Females are similar but have less extensive black areas. Both sexes adopt a more subdued plumage in winter, with mottled brown upperparts and pale underparts.
Juvenile golden plovers look the same as non-breeding adults but have lighter grey fringes to the feathers on their flanks and belly.
Size
Length
26cm to 29cm
Wingspan
67cm to 76cm
Weight
160g to 280g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Golden Plovers breed in Arctic and subarctic tundra across northern Europe and Russia. During winter, they migrate to temperate and subtropical regions, including western Europe and the British Isles.
Golden plovers' breeding grounds are typically found in tundra landscapes, bogs, heathlands, and peat-rich areas. In winter, agricultural pastures, salt marshes, mudflats, and estuaries attract large flocks of golden plovers.
In the UK, they are common winter visitors, especially between November and February, to coastal areas and inland grasslands, with some populations breeding in Scottish highlands and northern England. They also breed in the Peak District, North Yorkshire, parts of Wales, and Devon.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,200 meters
Climate zones
Subarctic, Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Golden Plovers primarily feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. They use their keen eyesight to spot prey on the ground, often employing a distinctive 'foot-trembling' technique to bring worms to the surface.
They also eat some plant matter, including berries, seeds, and grass. They feed at night and during the day and are thought to rely on sound and sight to detect food.
Behaviour
Golden Plovers are highly gregarious, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They exhibit a distinctive run-stop-tilt foraging behaviour, using their large eyes to spot prey. During courtship, males perform elaborate aerial displays, including steep climbs and rapid descents.
Vocalisation
The Golden Plover's call is a distinctive, melancholic whistle, often described as 'tlu-ee'. During breeding season, males produce a more complex song, a series of fluid, warbling notes that carry across their tundra habitat.
Nesting & Breeding
Golden Plovers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically begins in May. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract mates.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often lined with lichen or moss. Females usually lay four eggs, which are olive-coloured with dark spots, providing excellent camouflage.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28-31 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and fledge after 35-45 days.
Lifespan
years
The Golden Plover typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Golden Plovers face threats from habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding grounds in northern Europe and maintaining suitable wintering habitats in western Europe and the UK.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Golden Plovers in open fields and coastal areas during migration
- Listen for their distinctive, melancholic whistle
- Observe their characteristic run-stop-tilt feeding pattern
- In the UK, watch for large flocks in upland areas during summer
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
European Golden Plover, Eurasian Golden Plover
Family:
CharadriidaePredators
Main predators include Arctic foxes, skuas, and large gulls, which target both eggs and chicks. Adult birds are occasionally taken by peregrine falcons and other raptors.
Did You Know?
- Golden Plovers can fly at speeds up to 60 mph (97 km/h) during migration.
- During their annual migrations, They have been known to fly non-stop for up to 3,000 miles (4,800 km).
- Their scientific name, Pluvialis apricaria, means 'rain bird', referring to their tendency to call more frequently before rain.
- Iceland has a large population of Golden Plovers, with an estimated breeding population of up to 89,000 pairs in 2014.
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FAQs
Can you eat Golden Plover?
Golden plovers are edible, although they’re not a very common choice as meat and have an acquired taste.
Is a Golden Plover a game bird?
Golden plovers are classed as game birds and can be hunted for sport in the UK at certain times of the year. Hunting is particularly common in France.
Can you shoot Golden Plovers in the UK?
Golden plovers are listed under Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, which means they can be legally shot and killed during the open season, from September 1 to January 31.
References
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website: BirdLife International. 2016. Pluvialis apricaria. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22693727A86551440.
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