A small pale plover endemic to North American shortgrass prairie. Among the most prairie-dependent shorebirds.

Also called: Mountain

Native status: Native; vulnerable

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 21–24 cm (8.3–9.4 in); wingspan 60 cm
Weight85–115 g (3–4 oz)
LifespanWild typically 4–5 years; oldest banded 12
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyCharadriidae

§ Encyclopedia

The mountain plover is a medium-sized ground bird in the plover family (Charadriidae). It is misnamed, as it lives on level land. Unlike most plovers, it is usually not found near bodies of water or even on wet soil; it prefers dry habitat with short grass and bare ground. Its height is in the range of 5–9 inches, and length in the range of 8–10 inches ; and it weighs around 102 grams.

Source: Wikipedia — Mountain plover Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Pale buff-brown plover with white forehead and eye stripe (breeding); black bill; long pale legs; lacks the dark breast band of most plovers.

Similar species. Killdeer (two black breast bands). American Golden-Plover (golden mottling). Black-bellied Plover (much larger, white belly with black patch).

Voice. Low whistled "weeyourrr" call.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects: grasshoppers, beetles, crickets. Occasionally small lizards.

Behavior. Despite the name, NOT associated with mountains or shorelines — nests on flat shortgrass prairie. Needs heavily grazed or burned prairie with bare ground. Strong association with prairie dog colonies and grazed pastures. Declined 80% since 1966 due to loss of shortgrass prairie. Winters on plowed fields, sod farms, and shortgrass habitats in California, Texas, and Mexico.

§ Range

Western Great Plains and prairies

§ Habitat

Open shortgrass prairie

§ Threats

Prairie conversion to row crops, fire suppression altering grass length.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the mountain plover is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support shortgrass prairie conservation. Maintain prescribed grazing.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Mountain Plover Profile
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • Audubon Rockies
  • IUCN Red List 2020