Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius

Least Concern
This small wader darts along shorelines with swift precision, its distinctive golden eye ring setting it apart from its plover cousins.
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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

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Little Ringed Plover can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Little Ringed Plover can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Little Ringed Plover is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Algeria Bangladesh Benin Bhutan Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad China Christmas Island Côte D'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti East Timor (Timor-Leste) Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kenya Kuwait Laos Liberia Libya Macao Macedonia Malaysia Maldives Mali Mauritania Moldova Morocco Myanmar Nepal Niger Nigeria Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Singapore Somalia South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Syria Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Vietnam Western Sahara Yemen
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Afghanistan Albania Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Georgia Gibraltar Hong Kong Hungary Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malta Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands North Korea Norway Papua New Guinea Poland Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Micronesia South Sudan
Species that pass through the area during migration
Bahrain Lebanon
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Australia Burundi Ireland Martinique Mauritius Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Seychelles Solomon Islands United States of America Zambia

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.

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 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 40

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 80

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 55

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 75

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

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

280,000 - 530,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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

Other names:

Little Ringed Dotterel

Family:

Charadriidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 10 years

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?

  1. Little Ringed Plovers have a third, transparent eyelid that protects their eyes while allowing them to see underwater.
  2. They perform elaborate distraction displays, feigning injury to lure predators away from their nests or chicks.
  3. 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. 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. 2 3

    report, 2015: Wetlands International

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