How to Identify a Piping Plover

The Piping Plover was listed as an endangered and threatened species in 1985. A shore bird, its habitat is increasingly threatened by development along beaches. It is worth finding them just to listen to their piping mating call. Follow these tips to recognize a Piping Plover.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Visit the Atlantic Coast (from Newfoundland to North Carolina), the Northern Great Plains (from Alberta to Nebraska) or the Great Lakes (mostly in Michigan) to find the Piping Plover. In the winter, try Texas, Louisiana and Florida coastlines.

2. Go during the breeding season from mid-March to mid-May. For winter breeding plovers, visit in July and August.

3. Find sandy areas that have sparse vegetation, since they feed on worms, insects and shore creatures just below the sand surface.

4. Look for light gray or sand-colored plumage and a white underbelly.

5. Distinguish the Piper Plover from other species during mating season by noticing an orange bill and feet.

6. Study the bird's neck and head. You should see a black strip running down the neck and a mark between the eyes. The tip of the short beak is also black.

7. Learn to pronounce Charadrius melodus, the Piping Plover's scientific name.

Tips & Warnings

• Piping Plovers can be anywhere from five-and-a-half to six-and-a-half inches long.
• Don't look for black bands or orange coloring in the winter. Go by the pale gray or sandy color of the upper parts.

Resources

• More About the Piping Plover

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