Semipalmated Plover

The Semipalmated Plover is a small, dumpy plover with brown upperparts, white underparts, a single black breast band, and a stubby orange-and-black bill. Its name comes from the partial ('semi') webbing between its toes, a feature shared with the similarly named Semipalmated Sandpiper.

One of the most common small plovers seen on beaches and mudflats throughout the Americas during migration, it breeds far to the north on Arctic and subarctic tundra.

Key field marks

• Single black breast band
• Brown back, white forehead and collar
• Short orange-based bill with a black tip
• Orange-yellow legs

Similar species

The Killdeer has two breast bands and is noticeably larger. The Common Ringed Plover of the Old World is nearly identical, best distinguished by range, voice, and subtle bill and eye-ring differences. The Piping Plover is much paler overall.

Habitat

Breeds on open tundra and gravel riverbanks; during migration and winter, uses sandy and muddy beaches, mudflats, and estuaries.

Range and migration

Breeds across northern Canada and Alaska. Migrates through and winters along the coasts of the United States south through Central America and into South America.

Behavior

Forages with a characteristic run-stop-peck technique, picking small invertebrates from wet sand or mud; often forms flocks, sometimes mixed with other small shorebirds, during migration.

Voice

A soft, whistled 'chu-wee' call.

Feeding

Small invertebrates including insects, worms, and tiny crustaceans.

Nesting and breeding

Nests on the ground in a simple scrape on tundra or gravel, relying on cryptic egg coloration for camouflage.