Pluvialis dominica HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 9? inches * Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird * No wing stripe * Underwing coverts and axillars gray * Wingtips extend beyond tail * Dark rump * Short, fairly thin, dark bill * Legs black Adult alternate * Black face, throat, and underparts * White border to black face and throat * Gold and black spangled crown, nape, back, and wings Adult basic * Gray-brown upperparts with paler edging * Pale gray breast * White supercilium * Whitish underparts Juvenile * Similar to adult basic but upperparts have "cleaner" appearance and more gold spotting * Finely streaked breast Similar species: The Black-bellied Plover is quite similar to the American Golden-Plover but has black axillaries, white wing stripe, thicker bill, and white rump in all plumages and white undertail coverts in breeding plumage. In most plumages the Black-bellied is distinctly grayer without any gold coloration. Pacific Golden-Plover is very similar but has white flanks and undertail coverts in breeding plumage. In basic plumage, Pacific has yellower head, supercilium and neck. Rare European Golden-Plover has white flanks and undertail coverts in alternate plumage and a less distinct supercilium in basic plumage. In all plumages, European has shorter wingtips that barely reach the end of the tail. Full_View |
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. Full_View |
Charadrius vociferus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 8 inches * Medium-sized, long-winged shorebird * Short, fairly thick dark bill * Legs flesh-colored * Red eye ring * White forehead and white stripe behind eye * Brown face; black lores and upper borders to the white forehead and collar * White collar * Brown cap, back and wings * White breast and belly * Two black breast bands * White wing stripe at the bases of the flight feathers is visible in flight * Rust-red rump * Brown tail with black subterminal band, white terminal band and barred, white outer tail feathers * Tail extends beyond wing tips at rest * Sexes similar * Juveniles similar to adult Similar species: All other plovers lack the two black breastbands. Very young Killdeer have a single breastband and could be confused with Piping, Wilson's, Snowy or Semipalmated Plovers, but are usually still downy, have black bills (any Piping or Semipalmated Plover having a breastband will also have an orange bill with a black tip), and are colored above like the adult (eliminating the paler Piping and Snowy). Full_View |
Charadrius melodus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 5.5 inches * Small shorebird * Short, stubby bill * Upperparts pale gray * Underparts white * White collar * Orange legs Adult alternate * Thin black breast band * Orange base to dark bill * White forehead * Black line from eye to eye across forehead * Gray crown Adult basic * Breast band paler and not complete * Dark bill Juvenile * Similar to adult in basic plumage * Upperparts faintly fringed with white Similar species: The pale gray upperparts distinguish the Piping Plover from all other small plovers except the Snowy Plover. The Snowy Plover has a different face pattern in alternate plumage and dark legs and a longer, thinner bill in basic and juvenile plumages. Full_View |
Charadrius semipalmatus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 5.75 inches * Small shorebird * Short, thin bill * Upperparts brownish-gray * Underparts white * White collar Adult alternate * Black breast band * Orange legs * Orange base to dark bill * White forehead and line behind eye * Black patch around eye, across forehead, and to bill * Gray crown Adult basic * Breast band paler * Orange to yellow legs * Dark bill * Facial markings paler Juvenile * Similar to adult in basic plumage * Upperparts neatly fringed with white * Yellowish legs Similar species: The Snowy and Piping Plovers have much paler upperparts and less complete breast bands. Wilson's Plover has a thicker bill and flesh-colored legs. Killdeer has two breast bands. Full_View |
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