| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Monotypic. | + | Monotypic. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#[http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=BD0659 enature] | #[http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=BD0659 enature] | ||
| − | + | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Pluvialis+dominica}} | {{GSearch|Pluvialis+dominica}} | ||
Revision as of 09:47, 23 December 2008
- Pluvialis dominica
Identification
9-11" (23-28 cm). A quail-sized plover. In breeding plumage, dull golden-brown above, with black throat, breast, flanks, belly, and undertail coverts; bold white stripe runs from forehead, over eye, and down side of neck and breast. In winter, has bold whitish eyebrow, grayish-white underparts. Lacks white wing stripe, white rump, and black patch under wing of larger and paler Black-bellied Plover. See Pacific Golden-Plover. Extremely similar to Pacific Golden-Plover (until recently they were considered one species: Lesser Golden Plover), but in summer more extensive Black underparts and in winter overall greyer appearance. Separated from Eurasian Golden Plover by smaller size, slimmer build and by longer primary projection the axillaries (armpits) are grey rather than white. 1
Similar Species
European Golden Plover is more stocky and larger headed with white undertail coverts, short bill, and shorter primary projection.
Pacific Golden Plover in all plumages have very slightly longer shallower bill, slightly lighter golden colored back, not as contrasting supercilium, shorter primary projection, and slightly longer legs; in breeding plumage has white on flanks with black barring; nonbreeding plumage has greyish (with hint of gold) breast markings, whitish supercilium; juvenile has yellowish wash to face, barred yellowish breast and belly markings. Best separated with multiple field marks.
Black-bellied Plover is slightly larger with white undertail, black and white spotted back, and white tail and rump.
Distribution
Breeds in North America from Alaska east to Baffin Island. In migration, most birds travel south over Atlantic Ocean from Canadian Maritimes to South America and return northward in spring over Great Plains, but some winter on islands in Pacific and appear along West Coast during migration. 1
An annual vagrant to Great Britain, normally in autumn. Vagrants have also been recorded in western and southern Africa.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Breeds on tundra; during migration found on coastal beaches and mudflats and inland on prairies and plowed fields. 1
Behaviour
3 or 4 buff eggs, spotted with brown, in a shallow depression lined with reindeer moss, usually on a ridge or other elevated spot in the tundra. Voice a mellow quee-lee-la. 1
References
External Links
