Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Little Ringed Plover is a small wader with a distinctive appearance. It has a brown upper body, white underparts, and a black-and-white head pattern. The bird features a prominent black eye stripe and a thin black breast band.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles having a less defined head pattern and a buff-edged upper body. During the breeding season, adults develop a bright yellow eye ring, enhancing their facial features.
Breeding females are similar in markings to males but have a slightly narrower eye ring than males, and their breast band is less bold, with a brownish tinge.
Size
Length
14cm to 17cm
Wingspan
42cm to 48cm
Weight
32g to 48g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Little Ringed Plovers inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, including riverbanks, lake shores, and coastal areas. They prefer areas with sparse vegetation and exposed sand or gravel. These birds are widely distributed across Europe and Asia.
During the breeding season, they are found across much of Europe, including the UK, and parts of Asia. In winter, they migrate to Africa, southern Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia, showcasing their impressive long-distance migration capabilities.
In the UK, breeding grounds are most prevalent in southern, central, and northern England. Some breeding also occurs in Wales and lowlands in east and central Scotland.
Elevation Range
Up to 800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Ringed 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Little Ringed Plover exhibits remarkable agility with its quick, darting movements and characteristic 'run-stop-peck' feeding technique. Its ability to rapidly navigate shorelines and mudflats demonstrates high manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small wader, the Little Ringed Plover possesses moderate strength relative to its size. While capable of long-distance migration, it's not known for particularly powerful physical feats.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
This species shows impressive adaptability, inhabiting various wetland habitats across Europe and Asia. Its ability to thrive in different climates and successfully migrate long distances indicates strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Little Ringed Plovers display moderate aggressiveness, particularly during breeding season. They perform distraction displays to protect nests and chicks, but are not notably aggressive compared to other bird species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The bird's long-distance migration between Europe/Asia and Africa/Southern Asia demonstrates considerable endurance. Its ability to navigate diverse habitats and climates during these journeys further supports its high endurance rating.
Diet
Little Ringed Plovers primarily feed on small invertebrates. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, worms, and small crustaceans, as well as shrimps, snails and tadpoles.
They use their keen eyesight to spot prey on the ground or in shallow water, quickly darting forward to snatch their meal.
Behaviour
Little Ringed Plovers are known for their quick, darting movements when foraging. They employ a characteristic 'run-stop-peck' feeding technique, rapidly moving across shorelines and mudflats.
These birds are often seen bobbing their heads and bodies, a behaviour thought to help them spot prey and potential threats.
Vocalisation
The Little Ringed Plover has a distinctive call, often described as a high-pitched 'pee-oo' or 'pee-yu'. During courtship and territorial displays, males produce a repetitive trilling sound. When alarmed, they emit a sharp 'pip' note, serving as a warning to others in the vicinity.
Nesting & Breeding
Little Ringed Plovers typically breed from April to August. They form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, including nest-scraping rituals and aerial chases.
Nests are simple scrapes in the ground, often lined with small pebbles or shell fragments. The female usually lays four eggs, which are pale buff with dark speckles, blending well with the surrounding substrate.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 24-25 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. They fledge after 24-27 days, with parents providing protection and guidance during this period.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Little Ringed Plover is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to wetland drainage and shoreline development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and maintaining suitable wetland habitats across their range.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them on sandy or gravelly shores of rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
- Listen for their distinctive high-pitched 'pee-oo' call
- Observe their quick, darting movements when foraging
- Use binoculars to spot the yellow eye-ring during breeding season
- In the UK, watch for them at inland gravel pits and reservoirs from March to September
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include birds of prey, such as falcons and hawks, as well as gulls, corvids, and small carnivorous mammals like foxes and weasels.
Did You Know?
- Little Ringed Plovers have a third, transparent eyelid that protects their eyes while allowing them to see underwater.
- They perform elaborate distraction displays, feigning injury to lure predators away from their nests or chicks.
- These birds can swim and dive when necessary despite not being typically associated with aquatic behaviour.
FAQs
Do Little Ringed Plovers flock?
Little Ringed Plovers may form small flocks during migration, with between 10 and 12 birds gathering ahead of their journey to the African tropics. They are a typically solitary species and do not integrate with other wading bird species, preferring to stick to their own company.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Charadrius dubius (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693770A155486463.
View source - 2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
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