A small plover with relatively long thick bill. Restricted to coastal habitats. Distinguished from Killdeer by single neck band.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Wilson's plover is a small bird of the family Charadriidae.
Source: Wikipedia — Wilson's plover Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium plover with a single broad breast band and a notably large, heavy, all-black bill; pinkish-gray legs and a brown back.
Similar species. Semipalmated Plover is smaller with a small orange-and-black bill and orange legs; the big black bill is the key Wilson's mark.
Voice. A sharp, emphatic, whistled 'whit' and a rapid series of notes.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, small invertebrates from shoreline or open ground.
Behavior. A coastal plover of southern beaches and tidal flats that specializes in eating fiddler crabs, which its unusually large bill helps it handle.
§ Range
Atlantic and Gulf coasts
§ Habitat
Sandy beaches and dunes
§ Threats
Coastal development, beach disturbance.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the wilson's plover is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Respect beach closures. Don't disturb nesting areas.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Wilson's plover
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Charadrius wilsonia
- IUCN Red List — search for Charadrius wilsonia
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Charadrius wilsonia
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
