Pluvialis squatarola
The Grey Plover is a medium-sized shorebird with distinctive plumage that changes seasonally. In breeding plumage, it has a striking black face and underparts, contrasting with silver-grey upperparts and white tail coverts.
Breeding female grey plovers’ markings resemble those of breeding males, although the colouring differs slightly. In summer, the deep, rich black seen on males is a more subdued shade of dark brown in females.
Non-breeding adults look the same, and juveniles are less conspicuous, with grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts. The species has a short, stout black bill, black legs, and a large white wing bar visible in flight.
Length
27cm to 30cm
Wingspan
71cm to 83cm
Weight
190g to 280g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Black White
Secondary Colour
Brown
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Grey Plovers breed in the high Arctic tundra of North America and Eurasia. During non-breeding seasons, they are found on coastal mudflats, estuaries, and sandy beaches across six continents.
In the UK, they are common winter visitors and passage migrants. Significant numbers can be observed along the coasts of East Anglia, the Wash, and the Solway Firth. They also frequent coastal areas in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grey Plover. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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