Grey Plover
Least ConcernPluvialis squatarola
Visual Identification
Grey Plover
Appearance
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.
Size
Length
27cm to 30cm
Wingspan
71cm to 83cm
Weight
190g to 280g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Black White
Secondary Colour
Brown
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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Diet
Grey Plovers primarily feed on marine invertebrates such as polychaete worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. Some seeds and plant matter are also eaten. In winter, clams and mussels, snails, shrimps and crabs are caught.
They use their large eyes to spot prey on the surface of mudflats or in shallow water, often employing a technique of foot-trembling to disturb hidden prey.
Behaviour
Grey Plovers are often seen standing motionless, then suddenly running to catch prey. They exhibit a characteristic 'stop-run-peck' foraging behaviour on mudflats and beaches.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays, calling loudly while flying in zigzag patterns to defend territory.
Vocalisation
The Grey Plover has a distinctive, mournful whistle often described as a slurred 'pee-oo-wee'. During the breeding season, males produce a more complex song, a series of fluty whistles that rise and fall in pitch, often given during display flights.
Loud ‘klee’ and ‘kleear’ alarm calls are heard, also by male Grey Plovers, to warn of threats near their nest sites, which carry across open landscapes to alert any nearby species.
Nesting & Breeding
Grey Plovers form monogamous pairs during the brief Arctic summer. Males establish territories and perform elaborate aerial displays to attract mates.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often lined with lichen or leaves. Females typically lay four eggs, which are olive-coloured with dark spots, providing excellent camouflage.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 26-27 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and fledge after 35-45 days.
Lifespan
years
The Grey Plover typically lives for 15 to 20 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, Grey Plovers face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on protecting key stopover sites along migratory routes and preserving breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Grey Plovers on coastal mudflats and sandy beaches during migration and winter.
- Observe their distinctive foraging behaviour: standing still, then running to catch prey.
- In flight, note the black 'armpits' contrasting with white wing stripes.
- Listen for their distinctive, mournful whistle, often given in flight.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Black-bellied Plover
Family:
CharadriidaePredators
Main predators include Arctic foxes, jaegers, and gulls, which target eggs and chicks. Adult birds may fall prey to Peregrine Falcons and other large raptors.
Did You Know?
- Grey Plovers can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h (over 37 mph) during migration.
- They have a special salt gland that allows them to drink seawater.
- Some individuals migrate over 13,000 km (over 8,000 miles) each way annually.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Pluvialis squatarola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693749A154513104.
View source - 2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International