Piping Plover
Near ThreatenedCharadrius melodus
Visual Identification
Piping Plover
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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
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
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.
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:
CharadriidaePredators
Main predators include gulls, crows, raccoons, foxes, and feral cats. Ghost crabs and raptors also pose threats to eggs and chicks.
Did You Know?
- Piping Plovers can swim short distances, despite not being considered swimming birds.
- Their eggs are so well-camouflaged that they're nearly invisible on the beach.
- Some Piping Plovers can live up to 14 years in the wild.
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References
- 2 4
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Charadrius melodus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22693811A182083944.
View source - 3
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source - 1
journalArticle, 1982: Clapp et al., Longevity records of North American birds: Gaviidae through Alcidae, J Field Ornithol, 53:81-124