Common Ringed Plover
ExploreBirds
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
The Common Ringed Plover is a small bird that loves to live near sandy beaches and wetlands. With its round body and short legs, it runs quickly along the shore, looking for tiny bugs and little fish to eat.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Common Ringed Plover is a small, stocky shorebird with a brown back and pure white underparts. It features a striking black band across its white chest and a black mask through its eyes, contrasting with a white forehead. Its short black bill and bright orange legs are also notable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusCharadrius
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
A Common Ringed Plover chick can run and feed itself just hours after hatching!
Their eggs are perfectly camouflaged, looking just like small stones on the ground.
These plovers have bright orange legs that glow against sandy beaches!
They sometimes use shells or pebbles to decorate and protect their nests.
Special abilities
Ability
Decoy Dance
Common Ringed Plover can fake a broken wing to lead predators away from its eggs, protecting its babies.
Ability
Egg Disguise
Common Ringed Plover has pebble-like eggs that blend perfectly into the sand, making them hard for predators to spot.
Ability
Dash and Grab
Common Ringed Plover can run in short bursts then suddenly stop to spot tiny insects and worms, quickly snatching them.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 17-19 cm
- Wingspan
- 42-47 cm
- Weight
- 0.04-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-11 years
- Top Speed
- 70 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-5
- Incubation
- 22-27 days
- Migration Distance
- 6000 km
Diet & Feeding
They mostly eat small insects and worms found in sand or mud with their short beaks.
Primary Foods
- marine worms
- insect larvae
- small crustaceans
- beetles
- spiders
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
Arctic foxes are known predators of plover nests.
eaten by
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Gulls can prey on plover chicks and eggs.
eaten by
Stoat
Mustela erminea
Stoats hunt plovers, especially eggs and young.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Common Ringed Plover?
17-19 cm
What is Common Ringed Plover's wingspan?
42-47 cm
How much does Common Ringed Plover weigh?
0.04-0.08 kg
How long does Common Ringed Plover live?
8-11 years
How fast can Common Ringed Plover move?
70 km/h
What does Common Ringed Plover eat?
They mostly eat small insects and worms found in sand or mud with their short beaks.
Where is Common Ringed Plover usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Common Ringed Plover hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
