Charadrius hiaticula
The Ringed Plover is a small shorebird with a distinctive black-and-white pattern. It has a brown upper body, white underparts, and a black breast band. The head features a black mask across the eyes and forehead, contrasting with a white stripe above.
Both sexes look similar, though males may have slightly bolder markings. The bill is bright orange, with a black tip and legs also orange.
Juveniles have a duller appearance with a brown breast band and less defined head markings.
In the winter, both sexes lose their bright black rings, which dull to a dark brown shade. Their legs remain orange, although the bill may become completely dark.
Length
17cm to 19cm
Wingspan
35cm to 41cm
Weight
55g to 75g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black Grey
Beak Colour
Orange Black
Leg Colour
Orange
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Ringed Plovers inhabit coastal areas, including sandy and shingle beaches, estuaries, and mudflats. They are also found around inland water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs. Their breeding range extends across northern Europe and Arctic regions.
In winter, many migrate south to coastal areas of western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In the UK, they are present year-round, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from northern populations.
In North America, their breeding range extends to the high Canadian Arctic (Baffin Island), as well as western Alaska.
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Temperate, Subarctic, Arctic
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ringed Plover. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
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Share your thoughtsOur 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.
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.
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Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Ringed Plover demonstrates high agility with its quick, stop-and-go running behaviour along shorelines. Its ability to perform elaborate aerial displays during breeding season further showcases its nimbleness.
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small shorebird, the Ringed Plover has modest strength. It's capable of short flights and can swim when necessary, but it's not known for feats of great physical power.
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Ringed Plovers show good adaptability, inhabiting various coastal environments from sea level to 1,000 metres elevation. They can breed in different terrains and have adjusted to some human-altered habitats, though they face challenges from coastal development.
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
While not overtly aggressive, Ringed Plovers display moderate territorial behaviour during breeding season. Their 'broken-wing' display to lure predators away from nests indicates a degree of assertiveness in protecting their young.
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Ringed Plovers exhibit good endurance, particularly evident in their long-distance migrations. Some populations travel from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas in Africa, demonstrating considerable stamina for their size.
Ringed Plovers primarily feed on small invertebrates found on beaches and mudflats. Their diet includes marine worms, molluscs, small crustaceans, and insects.
They use a distinctive foraging method called 'foot-trembling', where they vibrate one foot on wet sand to bring small burrowing prey to the surface.
Ringed Plovers are often seen running in short bursts along the shoreline, pausing to look for prey. They exhibit a characteristic 'stop-and-go' foraging technique, using their large eyes to spot invertebrates.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract mates.
The Ringed Plover's call is a distinctive, melodious whistle, often described as a clear 'too-lip', which is often heard in flight.
During the breeding season, males produce a more varied song, including trills and warbles. When alarmed, they emit a sharp 'peek' call, especially near the nest or when predators are present.
Breeding season for Ringed Plovers typically begins in April. Males perform elaborate aerial displays and create several scrapes on the ground, from which the female chooses one for nesting.
The nest is a simple scrape in sand or shingle, often lined with small pebbles or shell fragments. Females usually lay 4 eggs, which are pale buff with dark speckles, providing excellent camouflage.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and fledge after 24-27 days. They may attempt up to 3 broods a year.
While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Ringed Plovers face threats from habitat loss and disturbance at breeding sites. Coastal development and increased human activity on beaches pose significant challenges.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting areas and raising awareness among beachgoers.
Common Ringed Plover
5 years
20.8 years [4]
Main predators of Ringed Plovers include gulls, skuas, foxes, and various birds of prey. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to predation.
Ringed Plovers do not make much of a nest at all. These ground-nesting birds construct a simple scrape and line it with small pebbles, bits of plant material, and other debris like broken shells.
Interestingly, they almost always arrange their eggs with the narrowest end pointing to the centre.
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Charadrius hiaticula (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693759A155487854.
View sourcereport, 2015: Wetlands International
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
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