This nimble shorebird darts along sandy beaches, leaving delicate tracks as it hunts for insects and crustaceans in the surf.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Piping Plover is a small shorebird with pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and a white rump. It has a short, stout orange bill with a black tip and bright orange legs. During the breeding season, adults display a distinctive black band across the forehead and a black breast band.

Non-breeding adults and juveniles have a less pronounced breast band and may lack the black forehead marking. The plumage becomes slightly duller in winter, but the overall appearance remains similar year-round.

Size

Length

17cm to 18cm

Wingspan

35cm to 39cm

Weight

43g to 63g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Orange Black

Leg Colour

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Piping Plovers inhabit sandy beaches, alkali flats, and gravel shorelines along the Atlantic coast, Great Lakes, and northern Great Plains of North America. During the breeding season, they are found in the northern United States and southern Canada.

In winter, these birds migrate to the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Caribbean. They are present in the eastern United States coastal areas during breeding and non-breeding seasons.

Elevation Range

Sea level

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 30
Adaptability 75
Aggressiveness 40
Endurance 70

Diet

Piping Plovers primarily feed on marine worms, small crustaceans, and insects. They forage visually, running short distances and pecking at prey items on the sand or in shallow water.

Their diet may vary seasonally, with more insects consumed during the breeding season.

Behaviour

Piping Plovers are known for their distinctive 'piping' call and rapid running behavior along shorelines. They often employ a 'broken-wing' display to lure predators away from nests or chicks.

These birds are typically seen foraging in small groups or pairs, probing the sand for invertebrates with their bills.

Vocalisation

The Piping Plover's name comes from its melodious, flute-like call. Their most common vocalization is a clear, whistled 'peep-lo' or 'peep-peep-lo'.

During courtship or when alarmed, they may produce a rapid series of 'pip-pip-pip' notes. These calls are often heard before the bird is seen.

Nesting & Breeding

Piping Plovers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from April to August. Males perform elaborate aerial displays and create several scrapes in the sand, from which the female selects a nesting site.

The nest is a shallow depression in the sand, often lined with small pebbles or shell fragments. Females usually lay a clutch of four eggs, which are buff-colored and speckled with dark markings, providing excellent camouflage.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within hours of hatching. They fledge after 21-35 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 8 - 12 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 14 years [1]
0
4
8
12
16

years

The Piping Plover typically lives for 8 to 12 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 14 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

Near Threatened [2]

Piping Plovers face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss and human disturbance. Beach development, recreational activities, and climate change-induced sea-level rise threaten their nesting grounds.

Intensive conservation efforts, including habitat protection and public education, are ongoing to support population recovery.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

8,400 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Increasing[4]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Piping Plovers on sandy beaches and tidal flats
  • Listen for their distinctive 'peep-lo' call
  • Observe their quick, stop-and-go running pattern while foraging
  • Use binoculars to spot the black bands on breeding adults
  • Respect closed nesting areas and maintain a safe distance

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Belted Piping Plover

Family:

Charadriidae

Predators

Main predators include gulls, crows, raccoons, foxes, and feral cats. Ghost crabs and raptors also pose threats to eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

  1. Piping Plovers can swim short distances, despite not being considered swimming birds.
  2. Their eggs are so well-camouflaged that they're nearly invisible on the beach.
  3. Some Piping Plovers can live up to 14 years in the wild.

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References

  1. 2 4

    website: BirdLife International. 2020. Charadrius melodus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22693811A182083944.

    View source
  2. 3

    website, 2019: Partners in Flight

    View source
  3. 1

    journalArticle, 1982: Clapp et al., Longevity records of North American birds: Gaviidae through Alcidae, J Field Ornithol, 53:81-124