Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 9.5 inches
* Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird
* White wing stripe
* White rump
* Short, fairly thick, dark bill
* Legs black

Adult alternate

* Black face, throat, and breast
* White border to black face and throat
* Pale gray crown and nape
* Black and white spotted back and wings
* White belly and undertail coverts

Adult basic

* Medium gray upperparts with paler edging
* Pale gray breast
* White supercilium
* White underparts
* Black axillars visible in flight

Juvenile

* Similar to adult basic but upperparts have more contrast
* Black and white spotted tertials
* Finely streaked breast
* White supercilium
* Black axillars visible in flight

Similar species:

This plover is most similar to the Lesser, Greater, and Pacific Golden-Plovers. In alternate plumage, the Black-bellied Plover lacks the gold tones to the upperparts and has white undertail coverts. In basic and juvenile plumages, the Black-bellied Plover is most distinctive in flight with its black axillars, white rump, and white wing stripe, all of which the golden-plovers lack. At rest, the Black-bellied is grayer with a thicker bill.