ExploreBirds

Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

The Black-bellied Plover is a beautiful bird with a black belly and a white chest. It loves to run along the beach and hunt for tasty little crabs and worms in the sand.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Black-bellied Plover has a distinctive breeding plumage of a black face, neck, and belly contrasting with a white stripe and mottled grey-black back. Non-breeding birds are duller grey-brown overall, making them blend with coastal sands.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusPluvialis
Black-bellied Plover
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecoastal trait badge
Black-bellied Plover

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Black-bellied Plovers are the largest of North America's plover species.

Their distinct "plee-ooo-eee" call sounds like they're saying their own name!

These plovers can live surprisingly long, often reaching over 20 years old!

They often vibrate their feet on mudflats to make hidden prey pop up!

Special abilities

Ability

Arctic Survivor

Black-bellied Plover can breed in the harsh Arctic tundra, adapting to extreme cold conditions.

Ability

Visual Hunter

Black-bellied Plover can hunt by sight, using its "run-stop-peck" strategy to spot small prey.

Ability

Feather Shift

Black-bellied Plover has special feathers that change from dull gray to striking black and white for breeding.

Ability

Global Wanderer

Black-bellied Plover can migrate thousands of kilometers, flying between Arctic breeding grounds and tropical coasts.

Measurements & details

Length
27-30 cm
Wingspan
71-83 cm
Weight
0.17-0.31 kg
Lifespan
15-20 years
Top Speed
90 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
26-28 days
Migration Distance
10000 km

Diet & Feeding

Eats small invertebrates like worms, crabs, and insects found in mud and sand.

Primary Foods

  • Polychaete worms
  • Small crabs
  • Mollusks
  • Insect larvae
  • Beetles

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Hunts adult plovers during migration.

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

Preys on eggs and chicks in Arctic tundra.

eats

Ragworm

Nereis virens

Forages for these common marine worms in mudflats.

eats

Green Crab

Carcinus maenas

Consumes small crabs in coastal estuaries.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Black-bellied Plover?

27-30 cm

What is Black-bellied Plover's wingspan?

71-83 cm

How much does Black-bellied Plover weigh?

0.17-0.31 kg

How long does Black-bellied Plover live?

15-20 years

How fast can Black-bellied Plover move?

90 km/h

What does Black-bellied Plover eat?

Eats small invertebrates like worms, crabs, and insects found in mud and sand.

Where is Black-bellied Plover usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Black-bellied Plover hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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